HammondCare’s Miranda Mason featured in media coverage of the Federal Government’s draft new design guidelines and principles that make small home models best practice.

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells released the new National Aged Care Principles and Guidelines on September 6 following recommendations from the recent Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Nine News featured Miranda Mason to explain the benefits of small home forms, such as HammondCare’s cottage model, in its coverage of details of the Federal Government draft new guidelines and principles.

HammondCare General Manager Residential Care and The Dementia Centre Angela Raguz explained some of the design details of the cottage model, which cater for between 10 and 15 residents, during the news report.

“People are first and foremost in control of their environment,” Ms Raguz said.

Mason residents, who are frail aged, also took part to give positive feedback about life in a cottage model environment.

“You’ve got full independence, but you’ve got someone to look after you if you need to,” resident Pauline Matthews told Nine News.

HammondCare pioneered its first small household, or cottage-style, residential aged care service, at The Meadows at Hammondville in 1995 – and with each new build, has continued to research and develop design and model of care in NSW and Victoria, and recently at Daw Park, South Australia.

Residents live in a small, domestic and familiar environment with a kitchen and laundry. There is safe access to the outdoors.

HammondCare opened Mason, at Miranda, in late 2022.

Minister Wells -- who has called for feedback on the new principles and guidelines – has said the intention is to put quality and dignity back into aged care.

“Accommodation that is more homely and clinical provides familiar environments for older people – and a sense of belonging,” Minister Wells said.

The draft principles and guidelines consider a range of design elements, including accessibility, dementia-friendly design principles, the role of small home models and residents living in small “households” and needs of diverse communities.

It is expected the principles and guidelines will be introduced from July 2024.