Sister Alicja pictured with one of the residents of Brother Albert's Home for the Aged. |
Within the next few months what we currently know as the peaceful surroundings at Marayong will be filled with the busy buzz of construction, as builders and architects embark upon the redevelopment of Aged Care Services provided by Holy Family Polish Aged Care Services (HFPACS).
Within 2 years time, the Polish community's panoramic view of the Marayong site will have nestled within it a new 150-bed fully integrated aged care facility as well as 16 additional retirement units.
I arrive at Marayong on the afternoon of Thursday, 21st April to talk to the Chief Executive Officer of HFPACS, Mr Kevin Rocks, about the impact of the redevelopment plans on the current provision of Aged Care Services for the Polish community. Kevin is kind enough to take me on a tour of the site and its facilities.
A small group of residents from the Blessed Frances Retirement Village greets us as they pass by on their stroll of the grounds. Some nurses and residents of the Nursing Home are gathered in their Chapel for some quiet prayer and reflection whilst Sisters and carers are busy preparing for supper at Brother Albert's Home for the Aged.
Residents of the Retirement Village taking a leisurely stroll on the grounds of the Marayong site (pictured in front of the Nursing Home). |
"You know, the Sisters here have been catering to the needs of the Polish community for the past 50 years," Kevin remarks. Indeed, the mission of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth has always centred on ministry to the family. Today, the entire Marayong site is a grand symbol of Polish cultural heritage and is a testament to the Sisters' faithfulness to their mission.
The Sisters own the company, Holy Family Polish Aged Care Services (HFPACS), which operates all aged care services on the Marayong site - Blessed Frances Retirement Village, Brother Albert's Home for the Aged and the Nursing Home. Additionally, the Sisters run a Child Care Centre, providing before and after-school as well as vacation care.
I ask Kevin why he feels the planned redevelopments are necessary. "The main reason is that they would allow us to fulfil our commitment to the Polish community. We are experiencing increased demand for dementia specific services and for additional beds for aging relatives of the Polish community," Kevin replies.
"We're responding because we believe that people from Polish backgrounds should be allowed admission into our aged care services and not forced to go elsewhere where their spiritual and cultural needs may not be met," he adds.
Residents pictured inside the Nursing Home's chapel. |
The plans propose a new Aged Care Facility be built adjacent to the existing Nursing Home, together forming a 150-bed, fully integrated aged care facility.
The 56 beds currently within the Nursing Home will be retained, with plans to add 94 places which will comprise single-room en-suite accommodation with an emphasis on dementia specific care. Most importantly, the facility will replace Brother Albert's Home for the Aged and allow for the transfer of existing residents to a wing of the new facility.
Currently, there are waiting lists for entry into the aged care services at Marayong - another factor driving the need for a bigger facility. But will the proposed expansion necessarily solve this problem?
"Our redevelopment plans should ease the pressure on waiting lists. The additional places within the new complex will provide for 'low care' needs at the point of admission. However, emphasis will be placed on the ability for residents to 'age in place' once admitted, if at a later stage they require 'high care'," says Kevin.
Entrance of Brother Albert's Home for the Aged, soon to be replaced by the new facility. |
But what about existing and future residents of the Retirement Village, which is planned to be extended by an additional 16 retirement units? Kevin states that although the retirement units cater to those residents not requiring care, the Board is considering the introduction of Aged Community Care Packages.
"If the ACCPs become available to residents of the retirement village, they will include cleaning, meals, personal care, etc... which will allow the person to remain in their unit for as long as possible before transfer to the Aged Care facility is required," Kevin explains.
In the spirit of service, the Sisters and the Board of HFPACS are seeking any feedback and suggestions which members of the Polish community may have in relation to the proposed redevelopments. Detailed development plans are displayed within each of the facilities and are available upon request from Kevin Rocks or his secretary Bronia Flak, contactable by phone on 962 63 200.
Strolling residents pictured in front of one of the units of the Blessed Frances Retirement Village. |
"We believe that a comprehensive communication process with the broader Polish community is an integral part of planning," Kevin emphasises.
Readers are invited to address all feedback, suggestions and expressions of interest in writing to:
Holy Family Polish Aged Care Services
C/O Mr Kevin Rocks
132 Quakers Road, Marayong NSW 2148.
Further information on HFPACS's redevelopment plans is available from their website at
www.holyfamilyservices.com.au.
This is the first of a series of updates on plans for the redevelopment of Marayong's Aged Care Services. | 
