The Salvation Army Celebrates 30 Years of Providing Respite Care in the ACT

The Salvation Army Aged Care recently celebrated 30 years of providing respite care to the ACT community.

A 30th anniversary celebration was held on Friday, 9 August at Burrangiri Aged Care Respite Centre to highlight the positive impact of respite care in the community.

National Director of The Salvation Army Aged Care, Richard de Haast said since the opening of the centre, thousands have walked through the door to receive respite care.

"Burrangiri is an Aboriginal word meaning 'caring feeling of love' so when the centre first opened its doors on 12 August, 1989, it was originally and suitably named The Burrangiri Centre," he said.

"But back then, the respite model was a radical new concept for Canberra. It was created by the late Professor Peter Sinnett who was an academic from Canberra. This model aimed to provide short-term care at short notice and in many ways, aimed to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.

"Since the opening of Burrangiri, more than 11,000 people have been admitted into residential respite. So this aim of minimising hospital admissions and facilitating early discharges, through the provision of supported care, for those over 65 years of age was achieved."

Mr de Haast added that this was a momentous occasion for both the organisation and ACT Health.

"The official opening of the centre also marked the beginning of a partnership between the ACT Government and The Salvation Army," he said.

"Burrangiri continues to be funded by ACT Health and works in collaboration with The Salvation Army Aged Care to provide both respite care and day care services. I look forward to continuing this partnership."