Darwin: A major $18 million expansion at Southern Cross Care’s aged care service in Darwin has officially opened, significantly enhancing specialist support for older Territorians living with dementia and age-related frailty.
The Catholic aged care provider marked the milestone on Wednesday with the opening of 26 new residential aged care rooms at its Pearl Supported Care facility in Fannie Bay. The new rooms form a dedicated memory support unit designed to provide high-quality, person-centred care in a safe and familiar environment.
As part of the expansion, Southern Cross Care has also established an age-friendly health and fitness centre aimed at supporting healthy ageing. The facility is designed to help slow the progression of frailty, improve mobility and balance, and reduce the likelihood of hospital admissions among older people.
Southern Cross Care Chief Executive Officer David Moran said the project represents a major step forward in the delivery of aged care and healthy ageing services across Greater Darwin. He said the new memory support unit would substantially increase the organization’s ability to care for older residents in the Northern Territory.
“This expansion increases our overall capacity by around 30 per cent,” Mr Moran said. “The new memory support unit has been carefully designed to be dementia-friendly, helping residents feel comfortable, supported, and truly at home while maintaining a good quality of life.”
He added that the health and fitness centre has the potential to double the number of clients able to access preventative and rehabilitative services. According to Mr Moran, the centre is already in operation, offering up to four group exercise sessions daily focused on building strength, improving balance, and enhancing overall wellbeing.
“These programs help keep older Territorians healthier for longer, reducing the need for hospital care and allowing people to remain in residential aged care environments where they feel secure and supported,” he said.
The new memory support unit incorporates a range of design features specifically aimed at reducing confusion and supporting residents with cognitive impairment. These include individually coloured bedroom doors, personalised memory boxes outside each room, and circular corridors and walking paths that allow residents to move freely without encountering dead ends.
Staff access points have also been discreetly integrated into the design, minimising the appearance of a clinical workplace and reinforcing a homelike atmosphere for residents.
The project was made possible through significant financial support from the Australian Government, along with the provision of land by the Northern Territory Government. Together, the contributions have enabled Southern Cross Care to deliver a modern, purpose-built facility that responds to the growing demand for dementia care in the Top End.
The new expansion positions Pearl Supported Care as a leading provider of specialist aged care in the Northern Territory, offering advanced facilities that combine compassionate care, innovative design, and a strong focus on dignity and quality of life for older people.