Henderson opens aged care centre

CORANGMITE federal member Sarah Henderson has made one of her first local appearances representing her new ministerial portfolio, opening an aged care centre in Armstrong Creek with Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Ken Wyatt.

Ms Henderson – who was appointed Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services as part of the leadership spill – and Mr Wyatt were among the guests at last week’s official opening of Warralily Gardens, operated by TLC Aged Care.

The 180-bed home’s features include an on-site medical centre, 24-hour registered nurses on duty, in-house physiotherapists and podiatrists, a gym and hydrotherapy pool, a virtual reality cinema and a hairdresser.

Both Mr Wyatt and Ms Henderson spoke highly of staff in aged care – perhaps in reaction to the heightened scrutiny of the workers and conditions in aged care homes in the wake of the coming Royal Commission into the aged care sector.

“(In aged care homes) we are looking after Australia’s living history books, and the care given to them by staff prolongs that history,” Mr Wyatt said.

Ms Henderson said her grandfather, Ern Henderson, became a resident at The Homestead (also owned by TLC Aged Care) in Wallington when it was first built.

“It was a very tough time for my family… but for our family there was a great deal of comfort in knowing that when Poppa was in The Homestead, he was in the best of care.

“You can have the very best of facilities – and there’s no doubt this is absolutely industry-best in every possible respect – but if you don’t have that love and that care and that compassion from the staff, then as family members, you worry immensely. For us as a family, we could not have been happier with TLC.”