Symes Grove, part of our Taigum campus, at 333 Handford Road,  comprises four areas, each with its own lounge /dining room, kitchenette and single rooms, most with ensuites. The bedrooms have a large built-in wardrobe, shelf storage, a set of drawers, a television antenna outlet and a telephone outlet.

One of these areas is home to residents with dementia.

The first section opened in 1962 was largely financed from the estate of PJ Symes.  The second stage opened in 1970 and was mostly financed from the estate of Wade Brown.  The memory of these two benefactors is perpetuated through the naming of our residential areas.

All residents have access to the central administration area, which includes a hairdressing salon, and the main kitchen and laundry, as well as the large community area with plenty of room for all residents to meet together and enjoy any of a number of social activities.  The monthly Happy Hour is well supported by our residents as are the barbecues in our covered area in the grounds.  A number of our residents join together in craftmaking, and some cooking and enjoy the fellowship of others with similar interests.

Pre-entry interviews identify leisure interests and allow us to cater to these areas for our community.  One of our most popular areas for the men is our workshop complete with woodworking tools and machinery.  Many an item of small furniture has been crafted for one of their friends here.

The residents are able to be part of food focus groups to decide on menu choices in our dining room so they do not have to miss their old favourites.

Special /cultural events like Chinese New Year are celebrated.

Our services include a physiotherapist on staff, and podiatrist, dentist, hairdresser, audiologist, speech therapist, and dietician available on need as well as a counsellor for emotional support.
Our music therapist, who works with both Symes Grove and St Martin’s residents in groups and individually, helps our diversional therapist organise concerts which are greatly enjoyed.  We are very pleased to have visitors from the Deaf Society and the Blind Society come to see and support those who have a disability on these areas.

Weekly Anglican services are held in our common room and visits from representatives from other denominations or religions can be organised as requested.

Our residents are kept informed of issues in their community through monthly resident meetings and bi-monthly resident newsletters.

Residents of St Martin’s share our grounds and some of our social activities.

Part of our residential mix is the provision of 15 Independent Living Units on-site.

For further information contact our friendly staff : contact us