Work starts on new respite cottage to expand Hawthorn House’s capacity to support those living with dementia

Hawthorn House’s ability to support Great Southern residents living with dementia is well on it way to being expanded with work now underway on a new respite cottage. Construction of a new $2 million building to the west of the Albany Alzheimer’s WA base was given the green light by the City in recent months and a sod turning on Thursday officially marked the start of construction. Alzheimer’s WA chair Warren Harding and chief executive Ella Dachs were in attendance, along with Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens, Mayor Dennis Wellington and leaders from the Great Southern Development Commission. Mr Harding said a key feature of the new building was that its rooms could accommodate those living with Alzheimer’s as well as their carers which would better allow it to service the region. “If we can continue to build the capacity of Hawthorn House we can support the whole Great Southern,” he said. “The region has got a got a very high number of retirees and a disproportionately high number of people living with dementia. “The facility we are turning the sod for here today is expandable and with the support of the community we look to growing it to serve the Great Southern.” Plans for the cottage to expand Hawthorn House’s ability to provide overnight respite services were announced in November 2021. The announcement came three years after the Don Brandenburg Foundation donated $1 million to Hawthorn House in 2018 so that it could add to its two existing overnight respite rooms. Further funding from the State Government has also been committed to the build through the Regional Economic Development grants program. Ms Stephens said everyone in the community knew how important Hawthorn House since it was built in 2014. “The volunteers and support workers here really enrich the lives of people living with dementia with the the activities and things they do here,” she said. “This facility is so important, not just for Albany, but the whole Great Southern. “(House manager) Lorraine Benson also talks about the people who even com down from Perth to have respite down here.” In addition to its four bedrooms, which will each have their own ensuite, the respite cottage will have a kitchen and dining area, a large lounge area and a smaller lounge area to be used as a quiet space. Plans for an outside yarning circle are also being made, which will be co-designed with Indigenous members of Hawthorn House. Ms Dachs thanked the number of volunteers in attendance for the “sensational work they do”. “Anybody that has ever been to Hawthorn House knows that when you step in those doors the friendly environment is absolutely incredible,” she said. The respite cottage has been designed by H and H Architects and will be built by Realforce WA. It is expected to be completed within 12 months.