Junee aged care services join forces in major move

TWO of Junee’s key services for older residents are joining forces, bringing Cooinda Court Aged Care and Lawson House under the same umbrella in a major move aimed at strengthening the future of aged care in the town.

The integration will bring the two long-standing local services closer together while retaining their distinct roles within the community.

Lawson House will continue providing low-cost accommodation for people aged over 65, while Cooinda Court will continue delivering residential aged care, including permanent care, respite and memory support.

The move is designed to create a stronger and more coordinated pathway for older residents as their circumstances and care requirements change, from independent and supported accommodation through to community-based services and residential aged care.

Cooinda Court said bringing the services together would allow them to better coordinate care, share resources and plan for the changing needs of Junee’s ageing population.

“The services will support each other with new opportunities that promote health, wellbeing and independence,” the organisation said.

Importantly, the organisation said the integration was about building on the strengths of both services rather than changing the fundamental role they play within Junee.

Residents and families will continue to receive services focused on dignity, choice and independence, with continuity of care identified as a priority throughout the transition.

The move also has the potential to make navigating aged care easier for local families, particularly as an older person’s needs evolve.

Combining Lawson House and Cooinda Court under the same umbrella is expected to strengthen connections between independent and supported accommodation, community-based aged care and residential care.

It means older residents could have greater opportunity to move between different levels of support while remaining within Junee and connected to their families, friends and community.

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

The announcement also comes amid increasing pressure on rural communities to maintain sustainable aged care services and workforces as demand grows and expectations around care continue to change.

Cooinda Court said the partnership would provide an opportunity to make better use of resources, strengthen the local workforce and develop services capable of responding to those future demands.

For Junee, maintaining those services locally is particularly important, allowing older residents to receive support without necessarily having to leave the community they have called home.

“This is an important new chapter for Lawson House and Cooinda Court, centred on integrity, sustainability and a shared commitment to ensuring older people can continue to live, receive care and remain connected to their local community,” Cooinda Court said.

The organisation said it was excited about the opportunities the union would create and would continue working closely with residents, families, staff and the wider Junee community as the integration progresses.