Australia, no doubt is a county that has supreme aged care unmatched in the world. February 14 this year was a historic day for the Sri Lankans living in Brisbane in Queensland, Australia for it is the day a five-star aged care with 110 rooms built for Sri Lankans was declared open at 99 Cinderella Drive, Springwood at a cost of 42 million dollars.
The Federal Government approved project is run by a famous company reputed for super Aged Care in Australia named as ARCARE. The Sri Lankan consulate General in Brisbane Anton Swan attended the event as the Chief Guest whilst the Chief Executive Colin Singh of ARCARE represented the company. Jayantha Pathikirikorala the President of the Federation of Sri Lankan Associations, and Davenal Flanderka, Sam Fernando, Wimal Kanangara pioneered this project.
“Though it is not the culture of the Sri Lankans to send the aged parents to age care institutes here the culture is different and the social conditions are different and our people have no time to look after aged parents at home. That is why aged care institutes set get top priority in this country. They give unbelievable excellent care to elders. But we were looking for a centre for our Sri Lankan people, where they can live in the culture they prefer, have the food they like and have the privilege of been addressed in the language they know. It was only about five years ago we had this dream. There is one such aged Care in Melbourne run by the same company and that encouraged us to contact them and make the proposal,” explained Sam Fernando.
About fifty invited Sri Lankans attended the event. Two Buddhist monks chanted pirith and a Hindu Christian and Muslim clergy blessed the project. At the end of the meeting all invitees were taken on a tour in the three storied 110 roomed aged care with very specious court yards, lounge, dinning and activity rooms in every floor. The moderate size meeting place with every facility and a well-equipped café will be allowed for the public. Movie theatre and the communal meeting place, worship rooms no doubt enhance the value of the project.
Every room is well designed for the best flow of light and ventilation and are neatly furnished with attached toilet and shower, flat screen television, individual heating and cooling system, balcony and courtyard access, wireless internet.
Special dining facilities include to family and friends on the first day, choice of menu at lunch and dinner, hot cooked breakfast, selection of bottled wine and beer with meals, weekly high tea. Under Lifestyle and social, exercise classes, welcome gifts on arrival local small group bus outings are key attractions.
Those Sri Lankans who have stayed long in Australia and qualified for aged pensions and aged care packages this would be the best place for a happy last chapter in life for sure.
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