Bethanie Officially Launches WA’s First Serviced Apartments: A New Category in Aged Care

Bethanie, one of Western Australia’s leading not-for-profit aged care and retirement living providers, was joined by the Honourable Mick Murray MLA – Minister for Seniors and Ageing, on Tuesday 30th January to officially launch a new category in aged care for Western Australia. 

The 48 serviced apartments in the premium inner suburb of Menora are WA’s first serviced apartments for seniors and will provide the perfect balance of support and independence, sitting in between what is offered in an Independent Living Unit and an Aged Care Facility.

Targeted at those aged 80 years and over, the innovative apartments offer a level of care and affordable luxury unlike anything else in WA. A weekly service fee will offer customers access to freshly cooked daily meals, weekly linen and laundry services, and access to state-of-the-art built-in health technology via the exclusive Bethanie Wellness Hub.

Bethanie CEO Chris How comments, “We know how important it is to our seniors to retain independence and what these serviced apartments offer is the option to remove some of the necessary everyday tasks that can become more difficult with time, keeping us from being independent.

With the first customers expected to move in beginning of March, the apartments will complement the existing villas and apartments that form part of the stylish village called Bethanie on the Park. This will allow all customers access to the existing Bethanie on the Park Clubhouse with additional features including a ballroom, dining area, bar and entertainment zone, library, hair salon, on-site wellness centre (podiatry, physio, Allied Health services) and a fully equipped gymnasium.

The serviced apartments have been finished to an exceptional standard, offering modern living in a picturesque location on the doorstep of Yokine Reserve, and also featuring views of Perth city. Every apartment also features a balcony large enough to house an outdoor setting and BBQ.

“Customers will be able to maintain their independence in a secure, supportive environment where wellness is the number one priority. Everything needed for independent living will be close at hand, surrounded by the fun, the friends and the village feel of Bethanie on the Park,” adds Chris.

Honourable Mick Murray MLA – Minister for Seniors and Ageing comments, “It is a pleasure to help open the first serviced apartments specifically designed for over-80s. Quality of life is so important for people as they age, and it is pleasing to see housing options targeted towards those wanting to live independent lives, with the assistance and support of in-home services.

Ample research shows technology can assist with caring for the elderly by enabling 24-hour care and peace of mind and this will be delivered to each apartment via built-in features that will allow the Bethanie Wellness Hub to operate. It will be offered via a supplied tablet device and will use advanced technology to support wellbeing and customer safety.

Four large clear icons will feature on the tablet device – My Entertainment, My Social, My Interests and My Health. Via these four icons customers can easily access an integrated hub that assists with social connection, entertainment, concierge services, health monitoring and education and emergency assistance when required.

However, it is the included Passive Monitoring as well as the optional extras available that are truly leading the way in new technological advances. With the addition of Bethanie staff onsite 24 hours a day, Passive infra-red sensors can detect movement within rooms around each apartment. The Bethanie Wellness Hub will learn the
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customer’s normal day-to-day activity and if there is a noticeable change, it will automatically notify the chosen nominated contacts. For example, if a resident is normally up by 8am, a notification will be sent if there has been no movement in the living area by 10am.

An integrated reed switch device is mounted on the front door to provide the Bethanie Wellness Hub with notifications of the front door opening and closing. Similar to the movement sensors, the reed switch will monitor usual activity and if there is a noticeable change, it will notify the nominated contacts. For example, the Bethanie Wellness Hub will send a notification to family if a resident has left the apartment, but not returned by their normal bedtime.

Various additional iHealth personal monitoring devices can be purchased and connected to the Bethanie Wellness Hub such as water flow monitors to detect if a tap has been left running, additional motion sensors if required and floor and bed pressure sensors. There are also additional Bluetooth connected devices that can record health metrics such as blood pressure, pulse, blood oxygen levels and blood glucose levels. The Bethanie Wellness Hub will record the readings and will trend results so you can see if there are changes from the customer’s normal ranges.

With one and two bedroom apartments available, these stunning apartments offer affordable luxury with prices starting from $385,000 and for less than $45 per day, meals, cleaning, laundry and Bethanie’s unique exclusive health and wellness technology app are all included.

Find out more about Bethanie.