LGBTI and friends’ aged care home to be opened in Melbourne

Victorian aged care provider Lifeview Residential Care has announced its plans to build an innovative LGBTI and friends’ aged care living and retirement home environment in Melbourne’s inner-city suburb of Prahran.

Lifeview recently secured a 2,662sqm site cornering Greville and Charles Streets in Prahran and has started working with local architects CHT on options for the site’s design. As well as providing retirement living apartments and aged care living, the $50-million high-end development envisions adding to the revitalisation of retail along this section of Greville Street, and around Prahran Railway Station, with the ground floor offering differing retail spaces as well as incorporating the heritage-listed corner building into its design.

“This is the biggest and most exciting project Lifeview has been involved in. We believe this development will be the first inner-city offering of this type in Melbourne, and possibly Australia, by a current approved aged care provider,” Lifeview Director Peter Reilly said.

“A development such as this gives older LGBTI Australians, their friends, and family, choice in terms of aged care living within the community in which they already reside,” Reilly added.

“Ensuring inclusive care for all is something we are passionate about and committed to. Building this LGBTI and friends’ development is something we have been striving to achieve for many years,” Madeline Gall, Lifeview CEO said.

Lifeview recently announced it had commenced the journey towards achieving the Rainbow Tick, ensuring all its elders, no matter where they live, are able to age with grace, dignity, and choice and without fear of prejudice.

Research demonstrates that LGBTI people have poorer health outcomes than the general population and elders from these communities are more likely to avoid or delay seeking care as a result of actual or perceived discrimination.

“This development will ensure ageing LGBTI consumers can access care and services where they are valued, and where staff understand their needs, all whilst remaining in the vibrant inner-city environment in which they currently live and socialise,” Reilly added.

Building on the site, at this stage, is not envisaged to start for around two years. This development forms part of Lifeview’s 5-year strategic plan, which also includes its previously announced specialist dementia centre of excellence.

For more information, visit www.lifeview.com.au.