With 194 independent living units located across Nuriootpa, Tanunda and Angaston, maintaining and refurbishing these units is an important focus for Barossa Village, particularly when a unit becomes vacant.
“Preparing a unit for its next occupier is an exciting stage,” says Sales and Marketing Manager, Daniela Hongell.
“We take great care and pride in planning for a unit refurbishment, which can be as simple as a fresh coat of paint, new flooring and window furnishings, right through to a complete gut and interior rebuild, depending on the age and condition of the home.”
Daniela explains that Barossa Village supports many local trades and service providers who are brought in to work with their in-house builders on larger projects.
“It’s important that we that we employ the skills and expertise of our local trades as their knowledge helps us to create a home that has the quality finishes, design and high standards that our clients expect.”
“We currently have several major refurbishment projects on the go, which means reconfiguring floor plans to improve layout and flow, adding rooms like bedrooms and bathrooms and establishing outdoor living areas and new gardens.”
The completion of a unit refurbishment is the culmination of teamwork across several departments in the organisation and importantly, communicating with a client throughout the project, in preparation for the day when they move in.
“The transformation of these units is truly impressive as they incorporate many design features specific to older people, and change people’s perceptions of what retirement living looks like, by incorporating lots of light, space and modern finishes throughout the home.”
After the closure of large group lifestyle activities, due to COVID 19 restrictions, it’s lovely seeing clients and residents participating again in the lifestyle activities they love so much and connecting with staff and their friends.
Lifestyle Manager, Julie Cartwright says, “We used this time to plan bigger and better lifestyle programs for both our community and residential clients.”
In June, an open day at St Hugh’s Church Hall in Angaston attracted strong interest from clients wanting to sign up to new exercise programs focusing on fall preventions, core strength and balance, designed by our Occupational Therapist Miriam Popadinoski and Community Lifestyle Team member, Di Borrington.
The successful uptake of this program will see lifestyle activities extended to be offered in Tanunda.
“We see it as bringing activities to our clients,” says Julie. “While the Joy Rice Centre will continue to be a hub for activities like Thursday and Friday Café, broadening the delivery of activities will bring more people together, actively and socially within our community, which continues to be especially important during this time.”
At the peak of the coronavirus restrictions, when many people were feeling isolated and unsure, the donation of care boxes by Calabria Family Wines to residents and clients of Barossa Village, was a shining light during a difficult time and demonstrated how community comes together when we need each other the most.
One of the care box recipients was Robyn Cunningham, an independent living unit resident at Barossa Village, who was overwhelmed with gratitude when she received her care box.
“It was just lovely,” says Robyn. “God bless Calabria Wines for doing this.”
The donation was a complete surprise for the Angaston resident, “I heard a knock at the door and there was a Barossa Village staff member with this gift box to give me.”
“It had pasta sauce, rice, olives, stilled water, spaghetti, chocolate sultanas to name a few, but at that time it importantly had a roll of toilet paper as well.”
Explaining the impact of this simple gesture, Robyn says, “There were lots of nice goodies to help make people feel better.”
“I was not expecting to get one of these gift packs but was thrilled to receive one. Thanks Calabria Wines and Barossa Village.”
Following the news that Peter Rosenberg, a long serving member of the Barossa Village Board, had bequeathed a generous donation to the organisation, Board Chair John Angas shared his memories about a man who was community spirited.
“Peter’s contribution to the Nuriootpa Community was extensive,” recalls John. “He was a great contributor to the wine industry, was very involved in the Nuri Tigers football club where he was a life member, the management of the Nuri Centennial Park and more recently with Barossa Village.”
It was Linke’s Bakery where John would be summoned by Peter for a coffee and a quick chat about all things “Nuri”. “Our first official meeting was when I joined the Board of Barossa Village, around 2008.
I was delighted to hear that Peter had left a significant bequest to Barossa Village, as it proved that he truly believed in the cause that we stand for,” John says. As a board member, Peter was on the Finance and Audit subcommittee and the CEO evaluation committee where he contributed in a collegiate and cooperative manner.
Shortly after learning of Peter’s generosity, Barossa Village was also kindly bequeathed funds from a client who had lived in an independent living unit for many, many years.
John explains, “All donations and bequests ensure an even better standard of care to our many clients and residents and the funds are used specifically to enhance the lives of our residents and clients by investing in environments where people can socialise. By doing this, leaves a lasting positive legacy.”
If you want to know more, contact Barossa Village on 8562 0300 or csreception@barossavillage.org
Barossa Village is not for profit, community owned,
aged care provider, since 1964
14 Scholz Avenue, Nuriootpa SA 5355