New retirement home and dementia care proposed for Hawke's Bay

PLANNING: Summerset operations manager for Hawke's Bay villages Stuart James (left) and chief executive Julian Cook at the Eriksen Road site. PHOTO /SUPPLIED.

One of the nation's largest retirement village operators is planning to open a new Hawke's Bay operation that will also provide specialist care for people with dementia.

Summerset has purchased land to build its second Napier retirement village in the suburb of Te Awa.

The proposed village, which would be situated on a nine-hectare property on Eriksen Rd close to Maraenui Golf Club, would be Summerset's fourth in Hawke's Bay.

It already has villages in Havelock North, Hastings and Taradale.

Summerset chief executive Julian Cook said the company was delighted to secure the land.

"Demand for homes at our other Hawke's Bay villages is high. We have been looking for the right piece of land in the area for some time so more people can experience the Summerset lifestyle."

The village would establish around 320 homes, including two and three-bedroom villas, and one-bedroom serviced apartments. There would also be rest home and hospital level care.

Another 20 apartments would operate as the company's only Hawke's Bay-based memory care centre.

The centre is modelled on international design standards for dementia care and allows residents to live in their own one-bedroom apartment with living space/kitchenette but in a secure environment.

Cook said Summerset was the first aged care operator in New Zealand to launch that style of apartment living for those with dementia.

"We opened our first memory care centre at our Levin village and this concept will be included in all our future villages.

"It's really satisfying to be able to bring our memory care concept to Hawke's Bay. These centres provide residents with the dignity and respect of having their own home within a secure centre, purpose-designed for their needs."

Summerset's unique memory care concept was awarded the Aged Care Association's Built and Grown Environment Award for exceptional design in aged care last year.

Napier has a current 75+ population of around 5570 and a forecast 75+ population of around 7790 by 2028. Neighbouring Hastings District has a current 75+ population of 5700, which is forecast to increase to 6950 by 2023.

The Napier land purchase brings the company's number of greenfield sites to seven across the country. Summerset is planning to apply for resource consent in 2019.