TriCare just openned a new luxurious aged care facility in Williams Landing, located 20km southwest of Melbourne CBD next month. The four-storey, $30 million facility, which is located in close proximity to Williams Landing train station, parks, shopping, and healthcare facilities, will provide 126 beds, and Altona Beach, which is fully wheelchair accessible, is only a 15-minute drive away.

The facility has floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light-filled spaces, which have been proven to improve cognition and mood. The unpretentious layout and wide halls facilitate mobility and assist navigation for those with cognitive impairments. Additionally, the plentiful communal areas encourage social interaction, while amenities such as the beauty salon promote independent activities for residents.

According to TriCare Property and Planning Manager Simon Dwyer, "Our residents were front of mind throughout the entire design process of our most recent build, TriCare Williams Landing. From selecting the site at the very beginning, all the way through to the décor choices."

TriCare has been driven by wellbeing objectives in all its residential aged care facilities built in the last decade, with each new facility capitalising on the location of the residence and bringing the outside in. According to Mr Dwyer, "One of our primary considerations is how we can connect residents to the community and their natural surroundings." In addition to a planted conservatory central to the layout and ample safe places to feel the sun or a breeze, TriCare Williams Landing is located adjacent to a protected nature reserve, meaning residents will have undisrupted views of this reserve, in addition to views of Melbourne city and Altona Bay for many years to come.

As TriCare's design process has been developed over the last 54 years of operation, the organisation is determined to continue refining its process in every new build. "Our residents' needs and expectations change over time, and that's where our design eyes are continuously focused," Mr Dwyer said.