Brigidine House - RANDWICK - NSW

Brigidine House

Formally the Brigidine Sisters' convent, Brigidine House is a 30-place low care community for older men and women.

Brigidine House is a welcoming community that provides a balanced mix of activities for its members while also providing space for personal peace, reflection and privacy.

Perched high above Coogee Bay Road, Brigidine House is a beautiful heritage-listed home on three levels. It features generous balconies with courtyards that allow easy access to the outdoors for residents. It offers ocean and city views from the balconies.

Each bedroom is unique, varying in size, configuration and outlook. Each room has its own ensuite. High ceilings create a sense of spaciousness, while areas such as the community room and chapel, parlour and sitting rooms provide more intimate spaces.

A number of elderly Brigidine Sisters are part of this residential community that fosters the independence of residents, who are supported by dedicated staff.

It is close to convenient services such as shops, cinemas, hospitals, public transport and the life of the local shopping areas such as 'The Spot' and Randwick.

Brigidine House is accredited by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.

History

Brigidine House (formally the Brigidine Convent) has been occupied by the Brigidine Sisters since 1902. The heritage-listed building was extensively renovated in 2004/2005 to convert it into an accredited residential aged care community.

The Brigidine Sisters worked with Catholic Healthcare to create this aged care community. Catholic Healthcare leases the premises from Brigidine Sisters and operates the service.

Transport

Brigidine House is within walking distance from the local shopping centre, 'The Spot', and a slightly longer walk to the Randwick shops. A public bus route services the area via Coogee Bay Road. A small number of visitors' car parking spaces are available immediately outside Brigidine House, accessed via a steep private driveway off Coogee Bay Road. Brigidine House sits adjacent to Brigidine College Randwick, a Catholic girls' high school.

Residents at Brigidine House receive the following services:

* Mass, which is celebrated regularly in the Chapel
* Fresh-cooked meals
* A varied activities program
* Happy Hour
* Poetry readings
* Visiting general practitioners.

Pets support Resident's well-being

For the residents of Brigidine House, Catholic Healthcare's residential aged care community in Randwick, the weekly visit of Sandy, the gentle Golden Retriever, is an eagerly anticipated event. During these visits, supported and coordinated by a local volunteer, residents can pet, interact and play with Sandy.

Many of Catholic Healthcare's residential aged care communities provide a pet therapy service. Research has shown that pets enhance the psychological and physical well-being of people. For Catholic Healthcare's residents, some of the typical benefits cited are enhanced self-esteem, increased willingness to engage socially and decreased depression.