Chief Executive Jane Pickering said the project, which commenced in April 2015, took approximately 18 months to complete and cost $24.5 million.

“Allambi has now effectively doubled in size following the addition of more than 100 new single rooms making it Eldercare’s largest residential aged care facility,” said Ms Pickering.

“Given the size of this redevelopment, our challenge was to think creatively about how we could best use the space we had available and enhance Allambi’s homelike environment for residents.

“I am proud to say that we rose to the challenge and now have a superb facility which features more cosy living areas and landscaped internal garden areas and retains Allambi’s modern, homely feel.”

Eldercare Board Chair Rev. Dr. Ian Price said Marion Mayor Kris Hanna and Holdfast Bay Mayor Stephen Patterson, who together turned the first sod on the Allambi redevelopment in 2015, returned to Glengowrie to participate in the official proceedings.

“It was wonderful to welcome Mayors Hanna and Patterson back to Allambi so they could see how the support of their respective councils has helped make this multi-million dollar redevelopment possible,” said Rev. Dr. Price.

“Two years ago, we admired the architectural drawings that showed how the ‘new’ Allambi would look; now the vision has been realised and we have a magnificent, modern facility that will enable us to deliver even greater peace of mind with our care to residents and family members.”

The official opening of the Allambi redevelopment coincided with the launch of the new hospital avoidance initiative called ‘The Dandelion Project’ which Eldercare is undertaking in collaboration with the federally funded Adelaide Primary Health Network (Adelaide PHN).

“The aim of the project is to avoid having to transfer residents who are in need of medical treatment or palliative care to hospital,” said Ms Pickering.

“We will be increasing the level of clinical services and end of life support we provide at site level so residents don’t have to go to hospital and can remain as comfortable as possible, for as long as possible, within our care at Eldercare.”

Ms Pickering said the project was named after the Dandelion flower because of the blossom’s symbolic associations with hope, commitment and ‘expecting the unexpected’.

“Residents’ needs come first at Eldercare and ‘The Dandelion Project’ further galvanises our commitment to this care approach,” said Ms Pickering.

“We hope to redefine the way aged care is delivered and show that by offering a greater level of clinical and palliative support at our residential facilities, we can provide better quality care to our most vulnerable residents when they need it the most.”

‘The Dandelion Project’ will be introduced at three Eldercare residential aged care facilities across Adelaide including Allambi at Glengowrie, Trowbridge House in Payneham and Seaford in the southern suburbs.

Image: Eldercare Allambi resident Audrey Pratt cutting the ceremonial ribbon with Mayor of Marion Kris Hanna.