Minister hears rest home future vision

Health Minister Jonathon Coleman and other invited guests were welcomed to Riverview Rest home in Maungaturoto recently to hear an official presentation of Riverview’s plan for the future.

Following a kapa haka welcome and blessing by Kaiwaka kaumatua Tau Morgan, a walk through the complex brought the official party to the site of the new development where Maungaturoto Community Charitable Trust (MCCT) chairman Don McKay introduced the vision.

The new multi-stage development will provide a dementia unit, new larger kitchen-dining facility, more rest home beds, and then a reconfiguration of an area to enable hospital care.

Jonathon Coleman, Northland DHB chair Sally Macauley, and Alzheimers Northland general manager Kevin Salmon all reiterated the huge and growing need and lack of beds to accommodate the aged population.

They applauded the vision of MCCT and were keen to use it as a model for other communities.

Riverview is already having to turn people away due to lack of beds or being unable to meet medical needs, said Don McKay. This creates more strain on families struggling with the higher care needs of their loved ones, especially dementia. Even respite care can be jeopardised if there is nowhere to go.

Currently the nearest dementia units are at Waipu, Whangarei or Dargaville, so the development of a unit in Maungaturoto will allow local families to stay together for longer.

Community faith leaders joined for a blessing on the project, carers and the cared-for.

“With such a wonderful blessing and so much support the project must go from strength to strength,” said Debbie Evans, NDHB member and Kaipra Community Health Trust chief executive.

DEVELOPMENT: Maungaturoto Community Charitable Trust (MCCT) chairman, Don McKay, addresses guests.