Thumbs up for $2.4m new-look care home

28th May 2021

Calvary Cessnock Retirement Community residents and family members have had a sneak peek of life in the new-look Hebburn Lodge, which has undergone a $2.4 million redevelopment – including creation of a large sensory garden.

It was thumbs up all round for the new residential care accommodation at a recent open day.

The redevelopment is the latest in a rolling schedule of major works and upgrades as part of Calvary’s multi-million investment at its Cessnock residential aged care home.

“We’ve designed this to provide a home-like environment that supports and encourages residents to keep active and engaged,” Calvary Cessnock manager Dyanne Johnston said.

“This will be home for 22 women, and from the feedback we’ve had at the open day and since I think we’ve succeeded in making it a lovely, modern, inviting and functional space for them.

“Each resident will have their own room with an ensuite bathroom. Rooms open onto our new sensory garden or other garden spaces, there’s a large patio, lovely communal dining and living areas, and spaces to catch up with family and friends.

“There is also a fully functioning resident kitchen area where residents or visitors can make a cuppa or do some baking – either themselves or with a little help from our new residents’ chef.”

Staff will be on hand to support residents with their needs as usual, but their office, utility rooms and other staff spaces have all been discreetly located away from the residents’ living area.

Outside, the shady sensory garden features water walls, memory boxes, raised garden beds, paths to stroll and a wide array of plantings to stimulate the senses.

Hebburn Lodge is one of 10 small households at Calvary Cessnock, all named after historic collieries in the Coalfields area.  Redevelopment of Kalingo Lodge was completed in 2019, and work on the next refurbishment, Stanford Lodge, is due to start shortly.