:: Abbeyfield House ::

Supported Residential Services with a Difference!

The Abbeyfield model of supportive group housing is not a new concept but it is relatively unknown in Australia . It offers an opportunity for independent over 55s to live in the company of their peers without the restrictions of a nursing home or the financial expense of some independent living units.

Abbeyfield Housing had its origins in the United Kingdom . The first 'house' was started in 1956 by Richard Carr-Gomm, whose mission was to provide low-cost adequate accommodation for isolated and lonely, elderly people. There are now almost 900 Abbeyfield houses throughout the UK and Ireland , and well over 1,000 Worldwide. There are 22 Abbeyfield houses in Australia , where the Abbeyfield Society was formed as a not-for-profit organisation in 1981. It now operates 'houses' in the ACT, NSW, Queensland , South Australia , Tasmania , and Victoria and is still growing.

The Abbeyfield concept is a simple one, according to the organisation. Each house is home to ten older people, all of whom have a private bed-sitting room with its own en suite bathroom. The residents furnish and decorate their rooms to their own taste. The small number of residents allows a homely atmosphere but provides security in the knowledge that there is always someone else present.

The houses are established in local neighbourhoods so that the residents can continue to "enjoy contact with relatives, friends, doctor, church, shops and social groups."

They are architect designed to ensure they blend into the local streetscape as an ordinary house.

A full-time housekeeper lives on the premises and can be called at night in emergency situations. The housekeeper is responsible for shopping, preparing the two main meals of the day and cleaning the shared areas of the house.

Abbeyfield residents are encouraged to live as independently as they possibly can. They are responsible for their own personal hygiene, cleaning their own rooms, doing their own laundry and preparing their own breakfasts, from household supplies.

Residents are automatically members of the “house” committee – a committee that can make recommendations to the committee of management on matters relating to the day-to-day management of the house.

Each Abbeyfield houses is managed according to Abbeyfield guidelines by a committee of management made up of volunteers from the local community.

In most Abbeyfield houses there is no ingoing contribution. There is a weekly fee for full board and lodging equivalent to 70% of the single Age Pension and 100% of the Rent Allowance.

The majority of Abbeyfield residents are single people, but couples can be accommodated.

For more information you can go to www.abbeyfield.org.au or call (03) 9419 8222