Charitytooffloadrest-home;citescosts

• Published date: 18 April 2024
• Publication title: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)

It was also exiting its partnership with Aspiring Enliven Care Centre in Cardrona Valley Rd, where it provided aged care and nursing services

Chief executive Jo O’Neill said the decision to exit Wanaka was based on lack of funding and increased operational costs.

The decision to sell the Wanaka assets was because ‘‘the funding for not-for-profit providers of residential aged care has been insufficient and the losses we have made are no longer sustainable’’.

‘‘We have made the difficult decision to sell Elmslie House and Wanaka Retirement Village. However, we will continue to serve the most vulnerable in the Wanaka area by continuing to provide social services to those who need us.’’

While new owners were being sought, and the sale process had started, staff in Wanaka would continue to fulfil their roles as normal, she said.

Presbyterian Support Otago employed a mix of full-time, part-time, fixed term and casual staff, with 77 people working at Aspiring Enliven, 25 at Elmslie and three at Wanaka Retirement Village (WRV).

Numbers fluctuated but there were 30 beds available at Elmslie House, 52 beds available at Aspiring Enliven and 28 village residences at the retirement village.

Presbyterian Support Otago is not intending to sell any other property assets in Otago. It owns more than half a dozen rest-homes in Otago.

Costs were increasing — especially around increased pay for nurses, Mrs O’Neill said.

‘‘The funding of the aged care sector remains insufficient to meet the...