its religious origins, becoming a leading national healthcare provider with a diverse portfolio across hospital and aged care services. The Sisters of Mercy, who came to Australia in the 1800s, opened their first hospital, St. Benedict’s in Melbourne in 1920, now known as Cabrini Hospital. Today, Mercy Health operates public hospitals and private aged care services, generating over $1 billion in revenue, with approximately $600 million coming from hospitals and $400 million from aged care. Since entering the aged care sector in 1997 with the acquisition of its first two homes, Mercy Health has grown to operate 30 Residential Aged Care Facilities and a home care business that served 9,000 clients last year. Additionally, the organization offers 443 independent living units across 10 different sites, all integrated within precincts that include residential aged care facilities. CREATING HOME-LIKE ENVIRONMENTS One of Mercy Health’s core achievements is its dedication to innovative and person-centered models of care. Recognizing that traditional Residential Aged Care facilities are not always aligned with the evolving expectations of residents, the organization has embraced new approaches that provide more intimate and homely environments. “In our small household living model, we have eight residents in a house, each with its kitchen, living, and entertainment areas,” Douglas explains. “This fosters a sense of community and normalcy, as care companions are rostered to the same residents as much as possible, creating stronger bonds and more personalized care.” This smaller-scale model emphasizes a home-like atmosphere, allowing residents to cook and socialize in a familiar, intimate setting. These homes are designed to emulate the warmth and comfort of a family home, in contrast to the Residential Aged Care facilities layout, which features bed spaces around a central kitchen and dining area.The medium model operates similarly, accommodating 15 residents in slightly larger wings while preserving the personal touch that residents seek in their later years. Douglas highlights the importance of these modernized care environments: “The small household 33 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 MERCY HEALTH
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