St. Andrew’s Village Celebrates a Legacy of Care
Nestled in Glendowie, Auckland, St. Andrew’s Village stands as a testament to both generosity and excellence in senior living. Founded in 1957 with a visionary bequest from Sir George Elliot, the village has blossomed into a respected member of the community.
Unlike commercially driven institutions, St. Andrew’s operates as a charitable trust, reinvesting all profits back into resident care. This unique structure allows them to focus solely on resident well-being, continually improving services, facilities, and care options.
From independent living units fostering active lifestyles to comprehensive care centres, St. Andrew’s offers a diverse range of choices. Residents find comfort in knowing the village can accommodate their evolving needs, regardless of the support required.
Celebrating its 67th year, St. Andrew’s Village honours Sir George Elliot’s legacy. The village stands as a powerful symbol of how a single act of generosity can positively impact countless lives. As they look to the future, the team at St. Andrew’s remains dedicated to providing exceptional senior care with dignity and community.
Our Journey
In 1957, following the passing of Sir George Elliot a year earlier, a bequest was made from his estate for 50k (pounds sterling) to establish a charitable trust to help look after elderly people in the Eastern Bays community.
After several years of setting up the Trust and securing the land upon which we currently operate, the first buildings were opened in 1962. These comprised a care facility and some rental cottages.
Early aged care options across New Zealand consisted of hospital-style wards with multiple residents sharing an area with curtain screens between them. This type of provision slowly fell out of favour with the public and by the late 1990s, St Andrew’s Village embarked on a complete rebuild of the care centre.
In early 2000, the first stage of the new care centre was completed, with the remaining four stages following by May 2004. This gave St Andrew’s a full mix of Rest Home, Dementia and Hospital care provisions, together with the establishment of a partnership with Dove Hospice to provide specialist palliative care on our site.
In 2005, the Trust also embarked on a development of a Retirement Village, and since that time an additional 164 villas, townhouses and apartments have been built, together with two large communal areas at the Irwin Miller Centre and the Terraces. The Terraces also now includes a full restaurant, bar, hair salon, wellness centre and state-of-the-art cinema.
A Legacy of Evolution and Care
From the outset, St Andrew’s Village has championed resident comfort and progressive care. Gone are the days of institutional settings. In the early years, we offered a welcome departure with rental cottages and a care facility. Recognising the changing needs of our residents, we embarked on a complete care centre rebuild in the late 1990s. This commitment to modernization and resident well-being has remained a cornerstone of our village ever since.
Tailoring Your Journey: A Spectrum of Living Options
At St Andrew’s Village, we understand that retirement needs are as unique as you are. That’s why we offer a diverse selection of living options, ensuring a smooth transition and a perfect fit for you.
Villas
Indulge in the comfort and privacy of our architect-designed villas. Choose from two or three-bedroom layouts, some featuring dedicated studies and lifts for maximum convenience. These havens provide a sense of independence within a secure and supportive environment.
The Terraces Apartments
Embrace a vibrant community atmosphere in our newly developed apartments at The Terraces. Each residence boasts captivating views and easy access to a plethora of amenities. Imagine savouring culinary delights at our on-site restaurant, unwinding with a drink at the bar, or pampering yourself at the salon. Movie nights in our state-of-the-art cinema create a truly unique social experience.
Care Suites
Pioneering a revolutionary living concept, the Care Suites combine the comfort of luxurious independent living with the peace of mind of on-site care. These modern apartments feature kitchenettes, balconies, and spacious ensuites, providing a familiar and comfortable environment. The innovative “hybrid” model allows you to age in place, with care services seamlessly adapting to your evolving needs.
Take a guided tour through our Care Suites and learn about the design and technology provided here
Award Winning Care
St Andrew’s Village has recently achieved global award-winning excellence and secured three top honours at the prestigious 12th Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards.
Often dubbed the “Oscars” of Aged Care, this international recognition cements our position as a leader in innovative senior living. The awards recognise excellence across various aspects of eldercare. St Andrew’s Village’s triple win highlights our dedication to resident well-being on multiple levels. We were awarded Operator of the Year – Residential Aged Care and Facility of the Year – Residential Aged Care, marking the first time a single site achieved both. “The awards reflect our people,” says CEO Andrew Joyce, and he feels it emphasises our commitment to “continually provide exceptional services in exceptional surroundings” and maintain strong resident-family connections.
St Andrew’s Village also secured the Facility of the Year – Ageing-In-Place award for our innovative approach to supporting independent living. The judges were impressed by our holistic approach to well-being and ongoing regeneration efforts that create a supportive and connected environment. Well done to all our incredible team village-wide who deserve a standing ovation for all their hard work and dedication that has now been recognised on the world stage.
Putting You First
St Andrew’s Village is dedicated to resident well-being, and this dedication has been recognized by Ageing Asia with the prestigious “Operator of the Year – Residential Aged Care” title. This award reflects our unwavering commitment to exceptional care:
- Highly Trained Staff: Building trust and lasting relationships is paramount. Our team of highly trained and experienced staff members prioritize person-centred care. They work closely with you and your families to ensure informed decisions and a high standard of personalised care.
- Dementia Care: Our Memory Care units create a safe and supportive environment for residents living with dementia. With specially designed spaces, residents can engage in stimulating activities and therapies that promote well-being and maintain a sense of connection. Watch our video here.
- Respite Care: Understanding the importance of caregiver well-being, St Andrew’s Village offers short-term respite care services. This allows families to take a break or holiday with peace of mind, knowing their loved ones are receiving exceptional care.
- Palliative Care: In partnership with Dove Hospice, St Andrew’s Village provides compassionate and dignified end-of-life care. This ensures residents receive comfort and support while respecting their wishes and those of their families.
You can find all the information you need to know about our Care Centre by visiting our online reception here. or browsing our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) webpage.
Technology for Enhanced Care
Technology plays a vital role in enhancing resident safety and well-being at St Andrew’s Village. Here’s a glimpse into how we’re embracing innovation:
The Elsi Smart Floor System: The Care Suites showcase our commitment to cutting-edge technology. These innovative apartments incorporate the Elsi Smart Floor system. Discreetly embedded copper tiles beneath the carpets monitor resident movement. In the event of a fall, the system triggers an alert for staff, allowing for immediate assistance and promoting resident independence with peace of mind.
As residents move about their apartment, their weight is concentrated on a few copper tiles at a time. However, in the event of a fall, the weight is distributed across multiple tiles, immediately triggering an alarm for our care team, without the resident needing to activate an alarm call themselves. This seamless integration allows us to provide increased levels of care, running in the background 24/7 alongside our more traditional nurse call systems. Furthermore, the Elsi Smart Floor system can be customised to meet individual resident needs, such as providing automated alerts if a known fall risk resident gets out of bed at night, allowing our staff to promptly assist them.
Additional Technological Advancements:
As part of stage two in the development of the Care Suites complex, St Andrew’s will be utilising the latest in health and wellbeing systems like Elma™. Once installed in the corner of a room, the Elma™ sensor indicates the presence of a person in a room and detects and logs movement in a highly unobtrusive way: no cameras are needed. Elma™ enables efficient fall detection and prevention. The user interface includes long-term activity diagrams and alarm history: the diagrams reveal crucial changes in behaviour that result from altering medication, and other routine changes that could otherwise go unnoticed.
Investing in the Future: Sustainability and Innovation
At St Andrew’s Village, we believe in fostering a healthy environment not just for our residents, but for generations to come. That’s why we’re committed to responsible practices and environmental stewardship. Here’s how we’re making a difference:
- Carbon Neutrality: We’re actively pursuing carbon neutrality, aiming for a Homestar eight, nine or even ten rating in future builds. This prestigious home energy rating system signifies exceptional energy efficiency, minimising our environmental footprint and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
- Sustainable Building Practices: We go beyond energy efficiency. We incorporate sustainable building practices whenever possible, utilising eco-friendly materials and promoting water conservation throughout the village.
- A Commitment to Green Spaces: Lush gardens and walking paths weave throughout St Andrew’s Village, providing residents with a connection to nature and promoting a sense of well-being.
Beyond the Walls: Cultivating a Vibrant Community
St Andrew’s Village is more than just a retirement community – it’s a place to connect, learn, and thrive. Here are just a few things that set us apart
A Bridge to the Wider Community
St Andrew’s Village believes in embracing the wider Glendowie community. The Terraces’ restaurant and bar are open to the public, fostering connections and creating a vibrant atmosphere. This not only allows residents to connect with new faces but also gives the wider community a chance to experience the exceptional service and amenities offered by St Andrew’s Village.
Social Activities
Fostering a sense of community and engagement is central to St Andrew’s philosophy. The Irwin Miller Centre serves as a hub for social events, fitness classes, and group activities. Whether it’s a lively game of cards or a stimulating book club, there’s always something exciting happening in the village.
Unparalleled Amenities
Experience an array of luxurious amenities within the village. The Terraces restaurant offers a fine dining experience with stunning views. For pampering sessions, the on-site salon provides expert services, while the state-of-the-art cinema delivers a touch of Hollywood glamour.
A Place to Call Home
St Andrew’s Village is more than just a collection of buildings and amenities. It’s a vibrant community where residents can forge meaningful connections, embrace life’s possibilities, and experience a true sense of belonging. Here are just a few things residents love about their experience at St Andrew’s Village:
- Carol Smith, Resident: “There’s an overriding feeling of community here. You can live as independently as you want, but you also have the support and everything available to you.”
- Dave Lovell, Resident: “It didn’t feel like a retirement village for a start, it felt more like a family.”
- Graeme Kelly, Resident: “They’re just tremendous, so welcoming and they’ll do anything for you. The treatment is brilliant.”