genU makes changes to aged care in Lara

DISABILITY services provider genU is changing its provision for the elderly in Lara, selling an aged care facility to a Tasmanian-based organisation and making a retirement village twice the size.

Respect Group is expected to take ownership of Costa House in January, with genU announcing the sale to residents, families, and staff last week.

Costa House is genU’s sole residential aged care facility in Lara, and the sale is part of what genU is describing as “a strategic decision to focus on growing its core businesses of disability, community aged care, training, and employment services”.

The sale follows genU’s decision earlier this month to sell the Pipsqueaks Early Learning Centre, also in Lara, with new owners Jenny’s Early Learning Centre to take over in November.

In a statement, genu said existing residents at Costa House had security of tenure so could remain living there, and the facility’s staff would be transferring their employment to Respect.

Chief executive officer of genU Clare Amies said selling Costa House acknowledged the facility’s future should be as part of specialist and dedicated aged care organisation rather than as a standalone service within genU.

She said the provider’s board and executive made the strategic decision to focus on growing genU’s core businesses nationally, and ensuring they remained sustainable.

“The transfer means Costa House residents and families, as well as the wider Lara community, gain the benefits of an aged care provider who can deliver a greater level of expertise and knowledge of this vitally important sector.

“Our expertise and knowledge lie in our core businesses of disability, community aged care, training, and employment services.”

Respect managing director Jason Binder said Respect was committed to redeveloping Costa House.

Part of genU’s investment is a major redevelopment of its St Laurence Park retirement village, which will more than double in size and increase the number of homes to about 230.