Gold Coast local opens new aged care home in Tugun

Gold coast local Terri Cause is delighted with her new role as general manager of the region’s newest aged care home, Bupa Tugun.

The home will be Bupa’s largest aged care facility, with room for 166 residents.

Ms Cause said she was excited to return to her local community after managing at Banora Point for two years.

“I’m thrilled to be opening a new facility here and developing a real home for my community,” she said.

Ms Cause studied social work and spent twenty years in the disability sector before entering aged care.

Drilled to focus on a person’s ability over their disability, Ms Cause applies a similar attitude to her work in aged care.

“This job is an opportunity to make sure people continue to be valued, and I get to do that every single day.”

Since its opening, the home has been a hive of activity with an open day for neighbours and a special tea of jam and scones for the residents.

A big fuss was made of the first resident, Mr Ron Potter, who was presented with a large fruit bowl upon arrival.

In true Gold Coast style, residents and their families have already christened the barbecue.

“The Gold Coast is about enjoying the sunshine and we have the spaces to do that,” Ms Cause said.

All the rooms have a balcony or patio that overlook or connect to extensive gardens.

Ms Cause said she wants residents to feel like they can do anything with the outdoor space.

“It’s their home, not ours. If they want to plant a particular vegetable or set up a fernery outside, they can,” she said.

“One resident has a budgie named Twisty. Twisty has always lived inside but with her new patio, the resident is able to hang him up outside.

“Now we have checked the area for butcher birds, they are able to enjoy the sunshine together.”

With their own courtesy bus, residents can make the most of the natural environment, taking scenic drives up the coastline or exploring the farms further inland.

With few aged care alternatives in the area, Ms Cause said the community uptake has been very responsive.

The current residents are mostly local and neighbours have immediately offered their services as volunteers.

“It’s amazing the connections that have already been made,” Ms Cause said.

“A lady moved in today whose grandkids go to the same school as my kids.

“We’re all from the same community.”

All staff from cleaners to care attendants have undergone extensive training leading up to Monday’s opening.

Ms Cause is proud to report the hard work paid off.

“When staff did their morning checks, some residents said they felt like they’d been here forever.

“It’s just a building until it’s got people in it, then it becomes a home.”

Image: Terri Cause and her team celebrate the arrival of first resident, Ron Potter. CONTRIBUTED.