Seniors get their dues

AGED care in Greater Dandenong is set for a boost.
The council on 10 December approved a stage one of an extension to residential aged care facility Outlook Gardens in Dandenong North.
Stage one includes demolishing an existing building and constructing a new high-care, aged care facility, adding 36 beds and a community hall.
State two will involve a new 24-bed high aged care wing.
General manager Corey van Garderen said the facility still had lots of hoops to jump through and was currently applying to the Department of Health and Ageing for 36 high-care bed licences for stroke and dementia patients.
Mr van Garderen hoped construction would start this time next year if all goes according to plan.
He said Outlook Gardens currently had 59 beds occupied full-time and two respite beds and faced constant requests for accommodation.
“There’s a need in this area,” he said.
The council also approved construction of a new residential aged care facility at 69-71 Langhorne Street, Dandenong.
The aged care facility currently on the site, owned by Southern Cross Care, has 52 beds and 10 independent living units.
The new building will have 120 beds for residents with needs in respite, transitional and dementia care, and community care facilities for the residents.