$300,000 target in housing for aged appeal

Press, 1 June 1981, Page 2

$300,000 target in housing for aged appeal

One of Christchurch's biggest public appeals this year will start, tomorrow to raise $300,000 for the Fairhaven Residential Club, a pioneering concept in care for the elderly in New Zealand.

The club will consist of 50 self-contained ■ flatettes, served by an adjacent community complex that will provide facilities for occupational therapy, leisure activi-

ties, a library, and extra kitchen area.

The residential club has been pioneered by the Christchurch Methodist Central Mission, and will cost $1.3 million, of which $BOO,OOO will come from a Government subsidy. The mission's superintendent, the Rev. W. E. Falkingham, said that construction of the flats and the complex was well advanced and the club should be completed and ready for occupation by the end of the year.

“Each tenant will live, independently, but will be part of the whole community,” said Mr Falkirigham. “The site adjoins our Fairhaven Home and Geriatric Hospital, and the residents of the flats will be supported by the staff from these institutions,as required” “The ratio of lonely, aged people is increasing in the community and there is a vital need for this type of complex which is a pilot scheme to get away from institutional living for those who still retain a certain amount of mobility and personal independence,” Mr Falkingham said. The residential club type of housing for the aged was first tried in Scandinavian countries and has also proved very successful during the last 20 years in Australia.

The mission hopes that this first club in Christchurch will provide the incentive for similar housing complexes throughout New Zealand. The flats will be rented about $2O a week and entrance is open to anyone, the entrance qualifications, being judged solely on the basis of need.

Details of the residential club concept and the appeal will be included in a small brochure distributed throughout the community and local businesses by the club’s appeal committee.