Residential Care

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who staffs the Lodge?
2. What fees and charges apply?
3. What is provided in each room?
4. Can I bring my own furniture?
5. Can I have my own telephone?
6. Do I need to bring my own toiletries?
7. Will my room be cleaned?
8. Will I need to arrange for personal laundry?
9. Can I bring an electric wheelchair or scooter?
10. What about if I need to purchase a mobility aid or other equipment once at the Lodge?
11. Are meals provided?
12. What allowance is made for food preferences?
13. Can I keep food in my room?
14. Can I make tea & coffee in my room?
15. Can I have wine with my meal?
16. Can I enjoy a cigarette?
17. What recreation and activities programs are available?
18. Are visitors welcome?
19. What can my family and friends do when they visit?
20. Can I stay with my family overnight?
21. Are there hairdressing facilities?
22. What medical information should I bring with me?
23. Can I continue to see my own doctor?
24. Are other health professionals available?
25. Can I still receive religious instruction?

Who staffs the Lodge?

A Director of Nursing (DON) manages each of our Lodges. They are responsible for the general management and staff, while working with residents and relatives to ensure individual needs are met.

An Operations Manager supports the DON with all non-clinical matters, such as catering, cleaning and laundry services. The Operations Manager is also available to discuss any equipment or household items that residents would like to bring with them at the time of admission.

Our Care Managers are skilled and experienced Registered Nurses (Division 1) and are responsible for the daily nursing and personal care provided to residents. They are the first port of call for discussing any issues relating to personal care, nursing care, liaising with doctors and pharmacy and with other health professionals. Care Managers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition to these key personnel a range of other administrative and service staff are engaged in the running of our Lodges.

What fees and charges apply?

Our Lodges are funded through Commonwealth Government subsidies, accommodation charges and residents' weekly fees. Funding is based on the individual level of care assessed for and provided to each resident. Extensive documentation of the care provided to each resident at the Lodge is required by the Government to qualify for the payment of subsidies. Full details of the charges can be found in the accompanying Admission & Fees brochure.

What is provided in each room?

Each single room is furnished with an adjustable bed, a built in wardrobe and side tables with a lockable drawer for valuables. Most rooms have a shared en suite and some have shared facilities. There are a select number of double rooms for those wishing to share a room with a loved one. These double rooms are furnished accordingly and have their own private en suites.

Bed linen, towels and face washers are also provided but some residents like to bring their own doona covers and bed quilts. We ask that those residents supplying these items ensure that they are clearly labelled so they can be easily returned after washing.

Can I bring my own furniture?

Residents are encouraged to bring with them some personal furniture such as a favourite armchair, a small television and DVD and other small items such as lamps, paintings, books and framed family photos. If a television is to be supplied you will also need to supply a solid table or cabinet (not glass). A remote control is recommended as well as infrared (cordless) headphones. Personal furniture items ought not to be so large as to obstruct the use of lifting machines and cleaning equipment. If purchasing new personal furniture, such as a special chair or footstool, advice should be sought from the Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist to ensure that the furniture is suitable for its intended use. The wrong choice of furniture may not provide the comfort envisaged and may even necessitate the purchase of an alternative item. All electrical items, including, hairdryers, razors etc., must undergo electrical safety testing and tagging at the time of admission. This will be done by our on-site maintenance staff and is for the safety of all residents

Can I have my own telephone?

Telephone points are installed in each room, so residents are able to supply their own telephone and the Operations Manager can assist you to arrange for the installation of a telephone line.

Do I need to bring my own toiletries?

Standard toiletry items such as toothpaste, shampoo, razors and tissues are supplied free of charge for all residents. However, many residents have preferences for a favourite brand and are free to use these at their own cost instead. We also encourage men to have electric shavers.

Will my room be cleaned?

Yes, each week a member of our General Services team will clean your room. This will generally be done at the same time each week, but some variation will occur. Bed linen is also changed weekly and a supply of toilet paper, soap and fresh towels will be provided to you on these occasions.

Will I need to arrange for personal laundry?

No, personal clothing is washed and dried on site by our staff in modern industrial machines and dryers. We suggest you bring clothing that is 'wash and wear' and that all clothing be clearly labelled to ensure it is returned to you after washing. It is the responsibility of the residents or their family to ensure all items are labelled. We do however request that woollens, delicate items and dry cleaning items be taken home by relatives for cleaning.

Can I bring an electric wheelchair or scooter?

We understand the value of electric wheelchairs and scooters as a means by which some residents are able to maintain independence and mobility. However, in the interests of safety for all, we need to limit the number of electric wheelchairs and scooters at any one time. Accordingly, applicants for admission to any of our Lodges are asked to advise and obtain the approval of the DON, prior to admission, of the need or intention to bring a scooter or electric chair with them.

We ask that those who own and use a scooter or electric wheelchair do so in accordance with the Lodge policy on this equipment, maintain and meet the costs of property and personal insurance, meet the costs of all maintenance and repairs and undergo an annual driving competency test.

What about if I need to purchase a mobility aid or other equipment once at the Lodge?

When considering the purchase of a walking frame, electric scooter or any other mobility aid or equipment for personalised use, it is important to choose the correct style or type to meet individualised needs.

Residents / family members should seek advice and guidance from the Lodge's experienced Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist, who will be able to assess and recommend the most suitable purchase. The wrong choice of equipment may not only fail to provide the comfort or assistance you seek from it but may actually present risks to your safety and well being or even necessitate the purchase of alternative equipment.

Where a resident is assessed as requiring personal use items such as hip protectors or footwear for example, the resident will need to meet the cost of purchase of these items. Royal Freemasons will consider meeting the cost of the provision of such items in circumstances where financial hardship can be demonstrated.

Are meals provided?

Yes. Nutritious seasonal meals are prepared daily in our kitchen, under the guidance of our qualified chef. Meals are served in the various dining rooms and in the residents' rooms when necessary.

Meal times are as follows: Breakfast 8:00 am Lunch 12:00 noon Dinner 5:00 pm

There is flexibility with breakfast for late risers or for those who prefer breakfast in their own rooms. Residents who are unwell can take their meals in their own room, and meals will be kept for residents who are out or at an appointment. Morning tea, afternoon tea and evening supper are also served.

What allowance is made for food preferences?

Every effort is made to accommodate individual preferences, menu variety and specialised dietary needs. A consulting dietician assists us in this task. Residents' personal likes and dislikes are recorded on admission and meals prepared with this in mind.

Can I keep food in my room?

Most certainly. While fruit is on the daily menu, some residents like to keep their own supply as well. This is best kept in one of the refrigerators located conveniently near residents' rooms or on bedside tables, as food left in drawers or cupboards is sometimes forgotten. Sweet treats are also popular amongst our residents and an airtight jar is a convenient method of storage in one's room.

Can I make tea & coffee in my room?

While we recommend residents use the tea and coffee making facilities located throughout each Lodge, you can have a kettle in your room for such purposes as long as it is in good working order and checked periodically by our electrician.

Can I have wine with my meal?

Yes. Residents may provide their own wine, beer or spirits, or preferred soft drinks or fruit juices. We ask that these be clearly labelled and our staff can assist with managing and serving drinks before meals or at other preferred times.

Can I enjoy a cigarette?

In the interests of other residents and having regard to health and safety regulations, smoking is not permitted inside the Lodge. However, smoking receptacles have been placed in designated outside smoking areas for your convenience.

What recreation and activities programs are available?

Every effort is made to enable residents to continue to enjoy any activities or hobbies they may have pursued before entry to the Lodge. In addition, a wide range of recreational activities is offered including group and individual sessions, weekly community activities, bus trips, physiotherapy, gentle exercises, games, singing, music and massage therapy programs. Newspapers and magazines can be ordered for delivery to your room.

Are visitors welcome?

We strongly encourage visits from family members and friends between 7:00am and 9:00pm, seven days a week. Children and well-behaved pets are also welcome to visit.

What can my family and friends do when they visit?

Residents and families may enjoy quiet contemplation, sitting or reading in the various sitting rooms, courtyards and garden areas. Tea and coffee making facilities are available for their use and they can feel free to bring a home baked snack to share with the resident should they wish. Each Lodge has a barbecue area that can be used for summer meals, celebrations or for family activities. Arrangements for parties or functions for special occasions, such as birthdays or anniversaries, can be booked at reception.

Can I stay with my family overnight?

Of course. When residents are going on outings or staying overnight with relatives, staff will make every effort to prepare clothing and other necessities in readiness for the occasion. For safety and legal requirements however, we ask that you notify staff in advance of leaving and when they should expect you back.

Are there hairdressing facilities?

Each Lodge has a very competent hairdresser who attends each week to cut or perm residents' hair. The charges are very reasonable and to make an appointment, just ask for the hairdressing book kept in the office.

What medical information should I bring with me?

The more information we have about your current medical condition and medications the better our level of care will be. We recommend that your current doctor provide a comprehensive medical evaluation, inclusive of all details regarding medication. These will be treated in the strictest of confidence. You should also bring your Pension Card, Health Card, Private Health Insurance Card, Veterans' Benefit Card as are appropriate to your circumstances.

Can I continue to see my own doctor?

If your own General Practitioner is willing to visit the Lodge, we encourage you to maintain continuity of medical care. However, for some GPs this may not be practicable or you may wish to make a change. The Lodge has a number of doctors approved by our highly regarded General Manager Medical Services, Associate Professor Sam Scherer. Alternatively, you may prefer to ask your own doctor to recommend a local GP.

Are other health professionals available?

The Lodge will make appointments for you to see an optometrist, audiologist, dentist or speech pathologist according to assessed need for these services; however relatives are asked to arrange for a responsible person to accompany a resident to all appointments, including hospital, pathology and X-rays. Sometimes on-site appointments can be made when a group of residents requires a specific service, such as Podiatry where a practitioner visits every six weeks.

Can I still receive religious instruction?

Representatives from all religious affiliations are welcome and we respect the personal beliefs and preferences of residents. Local ministers and clerics are invited to visit the Lodge and contact with residents can be arranged if requested by the resident or their relatives.