Resthaven’s Board received news that Mr P.G. and Miss Manson had bequeathed a portion of their land overlooking Sturt Gorge Recreation Park in the Adelaide foothills to Resthaven and two other aged care organisations. The Resthaven Administrator noted that the site offered significant scope for future development. However, due to limited funding, little progress was made on planning over the following few years.
Plans to develop the land donated by the Manson family were under consideration. Around the same time, another aged care provider that had also received donated land in the area submitted a development proposal. The proposal was rejected by the State Planning Office following significant public opposition, with Sturt Gorge widely described as an 'irreplaceable asset'. Observing these developments, the Resthaven Board chose to defer any plans for its own portion of the land and retain it for the time being.
With some financial relief available, Resthaven purchased a parcel of adjoining land at Bellevue Heights that had originally been bequeathed to another aged care organisation. With this addition, plans were developed for a large residential aged care home, financed on the ‘equity housing’ principle and supported by resident funding.
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After many years of delays, plans for the new home were finally approved and put out to tender in August 1978, with construction commencing shortly thereafter. The design proposed a large facility comprising 72 'hostel' rooms and 76 'self-care' units.
On 6 July 1980, the first stage of Resthaven Bellevue Heights was officially opened and dedicated by Rev. Keith Smith, Moderator of the Uniting Church in South Australia. The facilities reflected contemporary best practice, and construction of the second stage was already underway. Over the following decade, the home expanded in stages, gradually realising the vision of those who first championed its development.
Plans were underway to add a further 21 self-care units, which were completed in the following years.
With extensive native gardens and lawn areas on site, an automatic watering system was installed. However, some manual operation was still required while the system’s reliability was being tested. The introduction of automation was considered essential due to the increased frailty of residents, fewer of whom were able to manage any form of gardening, including the moving of sprinklers.
A new television and video player were donated to the hostel, enabling residents to view their own films in the common area.
Resthaven Bellevue Heights purchased a van to support the transport of residents to local areas. The initiative received strong support from all involved, which was important as use of the vehicle relied on residents opting to drive it themselves. Residents also made significant contributions toward the ongoing running costs of the vehicle.
In partnership with the Blackwood Rotary Club, residents exchanged letters with students from St John’s Grammar School over a six-month period. Although they did not meet in person during that time, the Rotary Club later arranged a function for everyone to finally put a face to the name behind their correspondence. The event was a great success.
The 10th anniversary celebrations for Resthaven Bellevue Heights were held in April 1990, with many of the first residents in attendance.
On 2 June 1992, ‘Recreation for Older Adults’ program was introduced at the home. The exercise classes were designed to improve and maintain residents’ general health and fitness.
In June 1992, the Department of Health, Housing and Community Services advised that Resthaven Bellevue Heights had been granted funding for ten self-care units to be incorporated into the hostel outreach program, enabling residents to receive care within their own units. Eligibility required an assessment of residents’ health needs. Ultimately, the program allowed residents in self-care units to remain in their homes for a longer period.
The first edition of the new site newsletter, Bellevue Bulletin, was published. The newsletter, which continues to this day, helped keep the community connected.
In November 1998, a 28-unit extension and modifications to the administration area at Resthaven Bellevue Heights were completed at a cost of $2.7 million. The new wing maximised hostel approvals by providing high-dependency care, including a number of ‘extra service’ units.
In August 2002, an Open Day was held at the home, showcasing the range of services and care provided at the facility. Many members of the community attended and appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the home.
Following residents’ requests, companion dog visits were introduced at Resthaven Bellevue Heights, particularly for those residents who missed the companionship of their pets.
As part of the strategic plan, Resthaven introduced the new position of Independent Living Unit (ILU) Coordinator based at Bellevue Heights, where there was the largest concentration of ILUs. The role proved to be very beneficial.
The home celebrated 25 years of operation with activities and events held for residents, family, friends and staff.
Resthaven Bellevue Heights became the pilot site for new computer software application, AutumnCare, with comprehensive training held to ensure successful introduction. The software aimed to create efficiencies for staff, reducing the amount of time spent on documentation. The implementation was made possible with a one-off payment from the Australian Government to develop information technology, business acumen and reporting in residential aged care.
Having been awarded 18 new high-care places in the 2005 Aged Care Funding Round, extensions to the home commenced. During the year, four independent living units were permanently removed to make way for a new 15-bed secure wing addition to the high-care area.
Resthaven Bellevue Heights’ intergenerational program won both the COTA ‘Every Generation for Young and Old’ award as well as a ‘Better Practice’ award from the Aged Care Accreditation and Standards Agency. The program included a weekly playgroup held onsite, with residents interacting with mothers and young children, as well as regular activities involving both primary and high school students. The awards gave special acknowledgement to the leisure and lifestyle program.
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On 11 July 2007, Dr Andrew Southcott, Member for Boothby, formally opened the self-funded extension to Resthaven Bellevue Heights. The project included a new meeting facility for independent living residents, called Gum Tree Lodge, and improved administration areas. An additional 18-place high care provision wing was also completed, expanding the opportunities for staff to focus upon innovative, individualised care for residents. Residents and staff assisted each other in adjusting to the changes.
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In response to requests from some of the men living on site, staff and residents developed the ‘Claytons’ men’s workshop. In conjunction with the Blackwood Lions Club, participants assisted in the creation of items for various community charities.
The development of a non-secure, dementia-specific care unit at the home further diversified the range of care options available.
On 13 October 2010, Resthaven Bellevue Heights held an Open Day with the theme ‘Australian bushland’ to commemorate Resthaven’s 75th anniversary.
As part of the continuing commitment to high-quality environments, facilities at the home received upgrades. This included widening low-care room doors for easier access and renovating the laundry to improve infection control. In the following year, upgrades were made to the servery.
The Victorian bushfires in early 2010 were followed by severe flooding in the eastern states in early 2011. These two natural disasters prompted a review of Resthaven’s natural disaster preparedness, with significant attention given to bushfire prevention and response. Although Resthaven Bellevue Heights already had protocols in place for such events, Resthaven further reviewed to understand bushfire risks. This involved a consultation regarding modifying the buildings and surrounds to reduce risk and complying with legislative and better practice requirements. The Resthaven Board committed significant funds to improve the home’s defensive rating. The following year, diesel pumps were installed for the water tanks and pipes were replaced to continue this mitigation work.
Plans were established for the independent living units to be extensively refurbished once a resident vacated the premise. Over the following few years, the units were extensively upgraded to bring them up to modern standards, including new kitchens, bathrooms, and floor coverings.
On 4 December 2014, Resthaven Bellevue Heights celebrated its 35-year anniversary.
To learn more about the range of residential aged care accommodation in Australia, a group of students and staff from Chongqing Medical University (CQMU) and Shandong University in China, and Airlungga University in Indonesia visited the home. Following its success, a second, similar visit took place in October the following year.
The application for a significant refurbishment was approved in late July 2016. Plans included upgrading and enlarging selected bathrooms and building two secure, low bushfire risk verandas overlooking Sturt Gorge, with associated landscaping and upgraded paths. Other plans included replacing independent living units that featured stairs as well as adding more car parking and an additional entrance.
A ‘companion service’ was launched to benefit residents, supporting them to visit offsite locations in the company of staff members. The service was ideal for people wanting to attend outings such as medical appointments, church, social visits, or shopping.
Maintaining its high standard of facilities, work was undertaken for some interior refitting as well as external landscaping.
On 27 September 2017, Federal Minister for Aged Care, The Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, visited Resthaven Bellevue Heights with Federal Member for Boothby, Nicolle Flint MP, for a ‘listening post’ with interested residents and Resthaven CEO Richard Hearn. Information gained during this visit was used to inform the Federal Government’s aged care reforms.
In September 2021, a turf-turning ceremony at Resthaven Bellevue Heights marked the commencement of a $33.5m site redevelopment. It was a welcome advancement, as the redevelopment was originally planned to commence in 2020 but was unfortunately deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The redevelopment aimed to refurbish the entire home, with all accommodation to be consolidated under one roof. The home’s street appeal would benefit from new landscaping, with great care taken to ensure that the new build would blend into the natural hills environment.
As part of the first stage of the major redevelopment, the auditorium—a communal area that was part of the original 1979 build of the home—underwent a major transformation. The exposed brick walls and pine-clad ceiling were replaced with modern finishes, and the timber truss beams were stained to a darker walnut finish, making them a feature of the space.
The second stage of the major redevelopment involved constructing a new underground service level, and a dementia-specific area on the entry level, incorporating 23 new rooms. The internal refurbishment of rooms in the ‘Banksia’ area was completed earlier in the year, and work was progressing well on the refurbishment of the ‘Acacia’ area. In addition, the improvements in the retirement living communal area, Gum Tree Lodge, were completed.
By August 2024, residents moved into their new accommodation and facilities. New residential rooms, lounge rooms, a private dining area, library, and common dining area were all completed. For staff, a new administration area was completed, and on the lower floor, a kitchenette, meeting room, and offices were in use. In December 2024, another major milestone was achieved, with the completion of the new reception entrance. A large, covered entranceway was built to allow residents to be dropped directly at the front door of the home while protecting them from the weather.
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