Curtin Heritage Living

How Art, Technology, and Compassion Create Connected Communities

Personalized care emphasizing innovation and unique experiences

In the heart of a close-knit area of Perth, Western Australia, Curtin Heritage Living has been serving the community for over 45 years, redefining aged care. Moving beyond the traditional concept of care facilities, this not-for-profit organization exemplifies community, innovation, and personalized care. As Managing Director David Cox shares Curtin Heritage Living’s journey and vision, it becomes clear that their focus extends beyond care, creating a vibrant, integrated community that honors each resident’s unique experiences and histories.

Rooted in community

Managing Director David Cox

Founded by residents with a deep connection to their community, Curtin Heritage Living was established to address a specific need: to allow people to age in the place they have always called home. “Curtin Heritage Living was created to serve the local community, which remains our mission today,” Cox states. “We operate in a very small area, but our presence here is significant. People love this place and don’t want to leave, so we’re here to ensure they don’t have to.”

Curtin Heritage Living’s commitment to the community is evident in its wide range of services, all tailored to meet the needs of residents. The organization provides residential care, supported accommodation, independent living, and in-home services, but it goes beyond these traditional offerings. Cox explains, “We also have a community services arm that offers events and socialization opportunities, helping to reduce social isolation for both younger and older residents in the wider community. We are deeply embedded in this community, and our services reflect that.”

Continuity in care

One of the most distinctive aspects of Curtin Heritage Living is its integrated approach to care. “Our model is unique,” Cox states. “We employ a single team of cleaners, carers, and health professionals who work across all areas—residential care, supported accommodation, and in-home services. This means that residents are likely to recognize the staff who care for them, which makes transitions smoother and less intimidating.”

Cox emphasizes the importance of this continuity, particularly when residents move from in-home care to residential care. “Many people see moving into residential care as a failure or something to fear because they don’t know the people. By ensuring that our environments are beautiful and familiar and having consistent staff across all levels of care, we make that journey much easier.”

This approach is also evident in the wide range of services Curtin Heritage Living offers, from essential home support like gardening and cleaning to more complex care such as nursing and allied health services. The in-home services, which now support around 1,200 clients, have expanded rapidly since Curtin Heritage Living acquired Shine, an in-home provider, in 2021. “Our in-home services have grown faster than we ever anticipated,” Cox shares. “It’s a testament to the demand for high-quality, personalized care.”

Integrating art and culture

Curtin Heritage Living envisions more than just providing traditional aged care. The organization has developed a lively community hub featuring a medical center, Gibney Cottesloe’s restaurant—a recent finalist for Best New Restaurant in Australia at the Gourmet Traveller Awards—a coffee shop, and an art gallery. By opening these facilities to the public, Curtin Heritage Living seamlessly weaves itself into the fabric of the local community.

“Art is a big part of what we do,” Cox states. “We have an art precinct with maker spaces for pottery, drawing, and painting. We also have a resident artist program and an art gallery that partners with high-end galleries to exhibit their work. It’s all about enriching the lives of our residents and the wider community.”

Local disability groups, welfare organizations, and other aged care providers also use Curtin Heritage Living’s facilities. It’s theaters and amphitheaters host community events, reinforcing the organization’s role as a community center. “We want to make a difference by fully integrating into the community,” Cox explains. “That’s why we have these facilities—so that everyone, not just our residents, can benefit from them.”

Balancing growth and regulation

Like many aged care providers, Curtin Heritage Living faces significant challenges in a highly regulated industry. However, Cox views these challenges as opportunities for growth and improvement. “The aged care industry is going through a lot of changes, and we see that as a positive thing,” he states. “One of the biggest challenges is working within the constrained regulatory and funding environment, but we’re committed to providing the best possible care despite these limitations.”

Curtin Heritage Living has been particularly successful in addressing the workforce shortages that plague the aged care industry. Through a unique labor agreement with the Australian government, the organization has offered staff different labor conditions, including a fast track to permanent residency for temporary visa holders. “This agreement has been a game-changer for us,” Cox shares. “It has enhanced staff loyalty and reduced turnover rates, which is rare in this industry.”

However, the organization’s success in attracting and retaining staff has also created new challenges. “We receive about 1,500 job applications a month for positions that don’t exist,” Cox states. “While it’s great to have such a strong reputation, it can be difficult to manage expectations and maintain our high standards of care.”

AI and innovation

“One of our strategic pillars is technology,” Cox explains. Curtin Heritage Living leverages advanced solutions to enhance its residents’ care and independence. “We use AI extensively in our homes to monitor resident activity and behaviors. This technology is tailored to each resident’s needs, helping to prevent falls and detect pain or adverse wandering.”

Cox highlights the tangible impact of AI on residents’ lives. “For example, our AI system can alert staff when a resident at risk of falling begins to get out of bed. It can also detect when someone might be in pain or at risk of wandering, allowing us to intervene early and prevent serious incidents.”

The organization’s dedication to technology goes beyond AI, with investments in sustainable building materials, solar panels, and electric vehicles. “We’re always looking for ways to improve,” Cox adds. “Technology isn’t just about making life easier for staff; it’s about increasing residents’ independence and quality of life.”

Sustainability in action

Sustainability is a core value at Curtin Heritage Living, reflected in initiatives like solar power installations, EV charging stations, and comprehensive recycling programs. Cox’s commitment to sustainability is intensely personal; he is directly involved in recycling bottles. This hands-on approach is part of the organization’s broader philosophy of servant leadership.

“Servant leadership means serving the people who work for us,” Cox explains. “All of us, including the executive team, rotate on-call duties and participate in projects, even if those tasks are menial. This approach fosters strong relationships with staff and promotes a culture of teamwork and mutual respect.”

Cox believes that this approach has a direct impact on staff retention and morale. “We have excellent staff retention and relationships because we pitch in together,” he states. “It’s not just about leading from the top; it’s about working alongside our staff and showing that we’re all together.”

Raising the bar

As the aged care industry faces significant challenges, Curtin Heritage Living is positioning itself as a leader in the field. Cox foresees two significant issues shaping the industry in the coming years: the supply of residential aged care and home care places, which will struggle to meet growing demand, and a looming workforce shortage, with an estimated 800,000 workers needed over the next decade.

“These challenges will force the industry to become more consumer-driven and flexible,” Cox predicts. “Legislation will need to adapt, allowing for more personalized and flexible services, particularly in-home care, which aligns with what other countries are already doing. We see this as a positive change that will enhance consumer choice.”

Curtin Heritage Living is not content with adapting to these changes; the organization aims to lead the way. “Our goal is to influence the industry, lead by reputation, and provide services that others don’t,” Cox states. “We want to show that aged care can be about more than just care—it can be about creating vibrant, connected communities.”

The organization’s commitment to innovation and quality is reflected in its recent accolades. “We just won a building award for our Cottesloe site,” Cox shares. “The award wasn’t just in aged care but urban development. We’re also in a national competition for urban development, which is about overall design and infrastructure planning. This shows that our impact goes beyond aged care; we’re setting new standards for what these communities can be.”

Vision for growth and innovation

Looking ahead, Curtin Heritage Living has ambitious plans for expansion and innovation. The organization is redeveloping its RiverSea Mosman Park site, a dementia-specific environment, and plans to expand its independent and supported living options. “We’re in a growth phase,” Cox states. “We’re focused on expanding in the local area and creating more opportunities for residents to live independently and with support.”

Technology will continue to play a key role in this expansion. “We’re very tech-heavy,” Cox explains. “We’re always exploring new technologies and innovations to enhance the care we provide. For example, we’ve just implemented a new window system from Belgium that’s environmentally friendly and easy to use. We’re constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aged care.”

Cox is confident that Curtin Heritage Living’s innovative approach will continue to set them apart in the industry. “We’re a small provider, but we’re making a big impact,” he states. “We have the luxury of being able to drive industry change, and we’re committed to doing so. Whether through technology, sustainability, or our community-centered approach, we always look for ways to improve and make a difference.”

AT A GLANCE

Curtin Heritage Living

What: A not-for-profit organization that provides aged care services, independent living, and in-home care in Western Australia.

Where: Western Australia

Website: https://curtinheritage.com.au/

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