Australian Aged Care Group: Exceptional Care Built on Solid Foundations

One of the pioneers of the aged care industry in Australia, the Australian Aged Care Group Pty Ltd, has been providing services of the highest level since the 1960s. Currently, the organisation has two facilities, Kew Gardens at Gellibrand Street in Kew, Melbourne, and Banfields Aged Care at Cowes Phillip Island. Both these facilities set benchmarks in the provision of aged care and enjoy the highest reputation for best-in-class infrastructure and well-trained and caring staff.

The Australian Aged Care Group Pty Ltd has specifically targeted baby boomers and has built its facilities in a manner that will give residents a similar standard of living and access to amenities, which they had in their own homes. The two existing facilities have enjoyed a remarkable degree of success and many of the occupants are affluent Australians who find that Kew Gardens and Banfields Aged Care provide them exactly what they need to lead a satisfied and fulfilling life.

Speaking about his association with the aged care industry, John Matthies, Managing Director, Australian Aged Care Group, says, “We have been providing aged care services for over 50 years. It is only in the last 12 years that I have been fully involved in the business. Prior to that I was a lawyer and conducting my own legal practice for 37 years in Melbourne. I grew up in the aged care industry as my mum and dad had a couple of small facilities going back through the 60’s 70’s and 80’s.”

John Matthies’ parents, Keith and Betty, were founders and operators of Canterbury Nursing Home from 1966 up to their retirement in the early-2000s.

In 2005 John identified a new site in Gellibrand Street in Kew and established Kew Gardens Aged Care.

John Matthies says, “The first project that I did was the Kew Gardens one. This site previously housed the residence of the Catholic Archbishop in Melbourne and I bought the site in 2005 and then built the current 100 bed facility there.”

Located a stone’s throw from Kew Junction, this is a 100-bed Extra Service residential care facility, which also provides specialist dementia care and ageing in place programs. Kew Gardens Aged Care has the added advantage of being located in a quiet area overlooking Alexandra Gardens, the City of Boorondara’s premier heritage gardens.

A great deal of thought has gone into making this facility one of the best in the Australian aged care industry. The premises house an exclusive café and bar in addition to a multimedia cinema, a private dining room and a Lifestyle Centre. Residents also have access to a well-stocked library and a business centre.

Kew Gardens Aged Care has been built to cater to every requirement that its residents may have. The standard rooms include an en suite bathroom and an individually-controlled air conditioning and heating system. In addition to this, each room is provided with a wall-mounted flat screen television and built in wardrobes. Nurses are available on call 24 hours a day for the care of residents.

Large and well laid out suites are also available for residents who wish to have additional space. Kew Gardens Aged Care has a number of super suites available, which consist of a large bedroom and a separate adjoining lounge and dining room. A kitchenette is attached to each suite and is equipped with a fridge and a microwave.

Banfields Aged Care

Banfields Aged Care, located at Cowes Phillip Island is a top of the line luxury facility, which caters to 90 residents. It also offers dementia specific care in a special 14 bed wing. The single level facility is spread over six wings and is located on a site which formerly housed the Banfields Motel and Cinema complex in Thomson Avenue, Cowes.

The facility is ideally located and the Cowes Jetty and the foreshore are a short distance from Banfields Aged Care. Every effort is made to ensure that each resident is cared for in the best possible manner. Residents’ rooms are tastefully furnished keeping in mind the requirements of the occupants. The management is happy to allow residents to bring their belongings, including furniture, into their rooms, as long as it does not interfere with the care they are to be provided.

Banfields Aged Care is extremely flexible in its approach, allowing residents 52 days of social leave per year without their fees being affected. During this time, residents may visit friends and family. In fact, if relatives or friends wish to visit residents, they may do so at any time, as there are no fixed visiting hours.

Ageing in place facilities are available where each individual’s needs and requirements are assessed and a care program formulated to specifically address them. The staff at Banfields Aged Care are highly trained and capable and above all, work to promote a cheerful and positive atmosphere. Residents are treated with the greatest dignity and every effort is made to allow them to age in place in their own rooms.

John Matthies considers the quality of care to be the most important factor in determining the success of an aged care facility. He has ensured that this aspect gets the greatest degree of attention at both Banfields Aged Care and at Kew Gardens Aged Care.

Explaining his view on the subject, he says, “You need very good staff. It is one thing to provide fantastic infrastructure but you have got to be very good at care. I understand this because I grew up in the aged care industry. My mum and dad started the facility in Canterbury and we lived on the site for some time.  She was very big on care and never tried to maximise profits. So that is what I have always tried to do.”

South Yarra Project

South Yarra is one of the most upmarket locations in Melbourne. Australian Aged Care is launching its third project at a prime spot in this area. The facility, which is expected to become operational after two years, will cater to the most discerning clientele and will be amongst the best in the country.

The facility would offer only suites, with each unit comprising a bedroom, a dining area, kitchenette and a sitting room. In addition to this, every suite would have its own balcony and have access to a host of facilities to make the residents’ stay as comfortable as possible.

The six-level facility will be located on a hill overlooking a bend in the Yarra River next to Alexandra Avenue and opposite Herring Island. Describing the latest venture of Australian Aged Care, John Matthies says, “I am in the process of doing another aged care facility which is called Alexandra on the Park in South Yarra.

“I personally think South Yarra is Melbourne’s premier suburb and is the ideal location for a six star facility. I have been overseas to look at the best facilities that are available. This project in South Yarra will be the world’s first six star facility that will be of a similar standard to the best six star hotel in Australia with all the latest technology.

“All the units will be suites which is unusual for an aged care facility but they are much larger than anyone has done previously, ranging from 54 metres square to 145 metres square, with high ceilings and luxurious fittings.

“The amenities available will include a hydrotherapy swimming pool, world class cinema, chapel, a doctor’s consultation room, fully equipped gym, x-golf simulator, massage facilities and an aroma therapy bath.

“We will have a large wine cellar and a wine tasting room. Storage facilities will be provided for each resident so that they can store their wines if they wish to. The premises will also house a hair and beauty salon, a large private dining room, a library and several other amenities.”

The success of this project is assured as the number of aged care facilities which combine a prestigious location with new construction and six star features is unheard of.

Future of the aged care industry in Australia

The country’s ageing population is expected to continue increasing into the foreseeable future. It is only to be expected that the demand for quality aged care facilities will rise along with the growth in the number of people who require care. Organisations like the Australian Aged Care Group, which have an established presence in the industry and cater to the upper end of the market, will see a great increase in demand for their services.

The greatest advantage that the Australian Aged Care Group enjoys is their decades of experience in providing the highest level of care to residents in their existing facilities at Banfields Aged Care and Kew Gardens Aged Care. The new project at South Yarra promises to maintain the same level of service while providing more facilities.

With the involvement of John’s son, Edward, the third generation of the Matthies family is now actively involved in the running and management of the company, hence ensuring that the tradition of care and service established half a century ago will continue to grow and thrive.