Good Shepherd Aged Services Inc.

Contact Details:

2 Clarke Street,
Abbotsford, Victoria. 3067
Australia

Telephone: +61 3 9419 3933
Fax: +61 3 9416 1316

Email: goodshepherd@c031.aone.net.au

 

HISTORY

Good Shepherd Aged Services Inc. was developed as a natural extension of the absolute commitment by the congregation of the Good Shepherd Sisters in Australia to care and support for Sisters and other women who have lived within the Good Shepherd network for many years, for as long as they need it.

Good Shepherd Aged Services has three facilities. They are outlined as follows:

1: Good Shepherd Aged Services Inc,

Nursing Home
2 Clarke Street,
Abbotsford, Victoria. 3067
Australia
49 beds
Telephone: +61 3 9419 3933

2: Abbotsford Hostel

2 Clarke Street,
Abbotsford, Victoria. 3067
Australia
35 beds
Telephone: +61 3 9419 4233

3: Maryville Hostel

7-9 Maryville Way,
Boronia, Victoria. 3155
Australia
58 beds
Telephone: +61 3 9762 6506

CURRENT CLIENT GROUPS

Good Shepherd Aged Services Inc. continues to provide for and support residential care for women who have lived within the Good Shepherd network for many years. Many of these women experience long term care needs related to early intellectual (developmental) disabilities and/or social deprivation. As these women have become older, some have developed other care needs related to ageing, including increased physical frailty, dementia, sensory losses and palliative care.

For this group of women the combination of early life disabilities and/or other disadvantages with more recent ageing related issues create extensive and complex care needs which are unique and generally not well understood or addressed by mainstream aged or disability fields.

An outreach program continues to provide support for a small number of women who have been part of the Good Shepherd network for many years. Over the past 10-12 years these women moved from Good Shepherd community hostels to independent living situations supported by staff at the former Virginia Court program.

A small percent of residents admitted to both hostels and approximately 65% of residents admitted to Good Shepherd Nursing Home are from the community. This group is also diverse and includes a number of sub-groups:

• physically frail aged people requiring low care or high care services;
• older people with dementia requiring low care or high care services;
• a small number of older people with intellectual, behavioural or emotional disabilities requiring low care or high care services.

Related to its Philosophy and Mission, Good Shepherd Aged Services Inc. particularly focuses on providing care for people with demonstrated greatest need. Admission policies ensure that preference is given to those who are socially/financially disadvantaged, marginalised or have the greatest difficulty accessing appropriate care.

At present very few men are admitted to Good Shepherd facilities. Although, admission policies do not preclude male residents.

THE FACILITIES

Abbotsford

The current facility at Abbotsford was opened in 1979. Originally the nursing home was arranged into separate care areas for Sisters and other women who lived within the Good Shepherd network for many years. Today this two storey building comprises:

• Good Shepherd Nursing Home. Accommodates 49 residents in a combination of four bed, two bed and single rooms, some with shared en suites. Other facilities include bathrooms, toilets, dining room, lounge and recreational rooms as well as offices and other staff areas.
• Abbotsford Hostel. Accommodates 35 residents in single rooms, some with private or shared en suites. Other facilities include bathrooms, toilets, laundries, dining room, lounge and recreational rooms as well as staff areas.
• Kitchen/Catering Department. Provides all meals and other catering services at Abbotsford complex.
• Maintenance Workshop. General maintenance at Abbotsford complex.
• Laundry. Provides complete linen service for Abbotsford and launders personal clothing for Nursing Home residents. Also provides linen services for Maryville Hostel at Boronia.
• Enclosed outdoor areas. Two courtyard gardens and one general purpose outdoor area.
• Administration area. Administration for all Good Shepherd Aged Services Inc. entities.
• Good Shepherd Chapel. Completed in the 1880s, the original Chapel of the Convent of the Good Shepherd Sisters remains adjacent to the nursing home. Used daily by residents, Sisters and staff.

Boronia: Maryville Hostel

The original buildings at Maryville were acquired by the Good Shepherd Sisters in 1938 when they were used as a Convent. In the 1970s the larger Convents at Oakleigh, Bendigo and Abbotsford closed and many Sisters and other Good Shepherd women moved into small hostels and other community living arrangements. However a group of women were considered to need a more structured living environment and it was decided to expand the facilities at Maryville to provide this support.

Maryville was registered by the Commonwealth Government as a Hostel in 1977. Fifty-eight beds are licensed under the residential aged care program.

Today the site includes:

• Nine 'cottage' style residential units each accommodating six to twelve people. All bedrooms are single with hand basins and built in wardrobes. Bathrooms and toilets are shared and each unit has its own small lounge/dining room and kitchenette.
• The remaining Convent building. Accommodates some retired Sisters.
• Chapel building and guest areas.
• Central kitchen and residents' dining room. This building also houses staff areas as well as shared laundry and storage areas.
• Reception and administration areas with adjoining doorways into Virginia and Tralee residential units.
• Communal lounge and activities room with kitchenette.
• Activities Therapy, sewing room and visiting doctors' office are located within Tralee residential unit.
• Gardens, garage, sheds and car parking areas are located throughout and within a secure perimeter.
• All buildings are connected by a number of pathways, many being covered for protection from the elements.

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