SwanCare Ningana Retirement Home
Camera IconSwanCare Ningana Retirement Home Credit: Frances Andrijich

New aged care facility SwanCare Ningana designed around the concept of home

SwanCareSponsored

NO, it is not a five-star hotel or new apartment complex — this is Perth’s newest residential aged-care facility and it is a game-changer for aged care in WA

SwanCare Ningana is the fourth care facility within SwanCare Bentley Park, WA’s largest aged-care and retirement campus, and has been cleverly designed to emulate familiar concepts of home.

The fundamental design concept of the building consists of a unique layout where rooms become individual homes along a street that connects to a wider neighbourhood and community.

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SwanCare Ningana is designed to emulate home.
Camera IconSwanCare Ningana is designed to emulate home. Credit: Supplied

There are indoor gardens, resident-use kitchens, reading nooks, lounge spaces and an enclosed fireplace on each level.

With abundant daylight and natural ventilation, the design also brings the outside in.

There are large glass windows on the sides of the building, with the interior of the building hugging an open-air landscaped atrium.

Sun-loving residents can “chase the sun” with daylight infiltrating various parts of the building over the course of the day.

 Rooms become individual homes.
Camera Icon Rooms become individual homes. Credit: Frances Andrijich

On the western-side, mature gum trees provide a shaded green space for the outdoor deck space on each upper level, some with city views.

“Ningana surpasses all my expectations, I can’t give high enough praise,” resident Patricia Muirhead-Caddle said.

“Aside from the beautiful building, the staff are wonderfully professional and dedicated — they really know what they are doing. You really couldn’t ask for more.”

Taking a whole-of-building approach to dementia care, Ningana offers a layout with few decision points, reducing possibilities for confusion.

The separation between living and working spaces reduces noise and allows residents to feel more at home.
Camera IconThe separation between living and working spaces reduces noise and allows residents to feel more at home. Credit: Frances Andrijich

Staff have access to ‘hidden’ operational corridors that provide behind-the-scenes workspaces that allow everyday equipment storage as well as laundry collection areas.

The separation between living and working spaces reduces both noise and operational clutter (such as trolleys and medical equipment), allowing residents to feel more at home and relaxed.

Each level has a casual resident-staff meeting space with a nurse station area positioned near the resident’s kitchenette and dining space, providing a relaxed place for residents and staff to chat and connect.

The building's design brings the outside in.
Camera IconThe building's design brings the outside in. Credit: Frances Andrijich

This space also offers an operational staff kitchen, allowing residents to see and smell the preparation of meals, adding to the home-like atmosphere.

SwanCare Ningana offers flexible and adaptable room types to cater for singles or couples, or those seeking a much larger room type than traditionally offered.

SwanCare Ningana is managed by SwanCare, a non-profit and WA aged-care organisation operating since 1961.