Brightwater Care’s commitment to improving the quality of life for people with disability was emphasised with the official opening yesterday of seven new homes in the Perth suburb of Piara Waters.
WA Minister for Disability Services Don Punch formally opened the landmark village, which provides state-of-the-art care and living facilities for up to 21 people with the complex neurodegenerative disorder known as Huntington’s Disease.
Huntington’s Disease (HD) is an inherited condition that affects the nervous system and progressively worsens over time. While there is no cure, Brightwater has a long history of providing support to people with HD and their families.
The new village at Piara Waters replaces two previous supported independent living homes in Belmont and Carlisle that had been operating since the mid-1990s.
Brightwater Chief Executive Officer Dr Catherine Stoddart said that while initially considering refurbishing the existing houses, it was quickly decided that this wasn’t enough.
“At Brightwater, we support people whose lives aren’t always easy. We don’t simply aim to make their lives better; we want the people in our care to live their best possible lives.
“Our new campus at Piara Waters marks a significant advancement for the level of care we provide to people with Huntington’s disease and underscores Brightwater’s dedication to enhancing disability care.”
Dr Stoddart paid tribute to major sponsors Lotterywest, the Bunning Family, Southern Districts Rotary Club, Dr Maria Kailis and the Harken family for their support.
Brightwater Board Chair Joanne Farrell said the Piara Waters village was the result of an extensive consultation and co-design process with clients and their families, industry professionals and key stakeholders.
“Each home is built to Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) standards and is designed for people who require high physical support and full accessibility.”
Ms Farrell thanked KPA Architects, Dale Alcock Projects and the many contractors and support agencies associated with the design, construction and fit-out.
Brightwater General Manager Disability Services Janet Wagland said it was wonderful to hear families say that they can already see the impact the new homes are having on the quality of life of their loved ones.
“Piara Waters reflects a service model that aims to support personal choice and empower decision making for our clients and it is wonderful to see that it is already making a difference,” she said.
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