Pathways Project at IRT William Beach Gardens: Construction Update

Back in August, we published a story about the innovative aged care Pathways Project by IRT in Illawarra. IRT Group are proud to announce that this innovative project is on track to be completed in November. 

Upon completion, the Pathways Project will provide a friendly and welcoming community for ageing people with intellectual disability. This unique aged care home allows residents to live with their primary carers.

Heather Marciano, IRT’s Ageing with Disability Partnership Coordinator says, “The difference between this kind of community and other communities is that this particular community has been developed for people who want to remain together as a family.”

John Kennedy is an ageing carer and has always been worried about what will happen to his daughter when he’s no longer able to care for her. He says, “To know that there is a place like this where you can live within a community, which is really important for people with disabilities, is just a wonderful option.”

The project received a $2.9 million funding grant from the Restart NSW Illawarra Infrastructure Fund and almost $2 million in in cash and in-kind contributions from IRT.

Construction began earlier this year with applications for residency open later in 2015. Pathways project will consist of 12 villas and a five-bed respite centre.

The innovative approach IRT is taking to support the needs of ageing people with intellectual disability and their primary carers will be documented and evaluated by the University of Wollongong and made available to other aged care service providers as a blueprint.

The project, although still in construction, has been gaining the attention of a number of aged care service providers who have toured the site to see construction first-hand and learn about the process IRT is following to establish this innovative community.

Click here to find out more about IRT’s residential aged care services. 

Photo credit: Kerryn Stephens