The Plains

As a family whose much loved parents (and grandparents) were cared for at The Plains aged care facility during their twilight years (2022 to 2024), we would like to sincerely thank all of the team for truly exceptional care and service delivered with love and compassion. Our loved ones could not have been in better hands and in a better environment. The registered nurses and personal carers in their house (Beth Lomon) treated Mum and Dad - and ourselves as relatives - like family, as did the facility's clinical management, diversional therapy, pastoral, catering, cleaning, laundry, maintenance and administration personnel. We have been so impressed by these special people. The attitudes and actions of the staff have embodied the philosophy of Bethany Christian Care. We are truly grateful for the way in which they cared for two very special people. The Coleman family.

My mother resided in Beth Esda, the dementia house at The Plains Aged Care, for over 6 years and the care she received during that time was exceptional. Being the primary carer, I visited Mum up to 3 times a week and truly appreciated and will always be grateful for the kindness, patience, skill, dedication and experience of all the staff. Mum was in wonderful care and her ongoing needs – physical, social, emotional, spiritual and medical - were always met with a smile. It’s the staff looking after your vulnerable and precious loved one that is important and a good indication of this is the long serving staff members, some of which were there when Beth Esda became Mum’s home over 6 years ago and still there at the time of her recent passing. They were always considered and attentive to her needs and initiated timely changes as Mum’s health declined over the years to ensure that she was kept happy and comfortable. Retaining the lifelong values of a loved one is difficult as they grow older. Mum was always well dressed, and these values were always upheld whilst Mum was in care. She continued to look beautiful and I would always make the comment “you’re ready to go to church now” . Even in the later stages when Mum was in a wheelchair and not very communicative, she was always included in activities undertaken in houses other than where she resided. It was special to see Mum singing hymns, especially on days when she found it difficult to maintain a conversation. There was a lot of fun and creativity in activities over the years including market day, a visit by classic cars, the creation of a vegetable garden and a visit by guinea pigs which loved to be wheeled around in the residents’ walkers. Then there’s the aviary and fountains that are dotted around the gardens that are always there to admire. Being outdoors was something that Mum enjoyed, and often I would find her sitting in her wheelchair with other residents in the garden of Beth Esda. The location is perfect, just outside the dining and lounge room, so it’s easy for staff to oversee residents whilst they are outside enjoying the sunshine. There are great facilities in and around The Plains Aged Care, and they have recently undertaken an extensive garden renovation and upgrade over the inner grand courtyard, including an outdoor stage for visiting entertainers and this all overlooks the houses of residents. This makes it a pleasant place to catch up with your loved one and their extended family and there’s always plenty to do for the grandchildren. Thank you to Bethany Christian Care, The Plains Aged Care and the Beth Esda Family. Our family will always be grateful for the loving care Mum received at The Plains, and this has provided us with great comfort whilst she was alive and now in her passing.

I would like to thank the staff in the dementia ward at The Plains for all they do to take care of mum. The staff are kind and thoughtful towards mum, she is always clean and well taken care of when I visit. They are extremely patient with her even when her behaviours are challenging (and I do know what that looks like -she was living with me). It is sad to have a loved one with dementia and to have to put them into care anywhere is a hard call to make. I would recommend the dementia ward at Bethany Christian Care: The Plains to anyone who is looking for this type of care. Big thanks to all the team -Bless you. Joanne Allen

Recently while visiting family in the dementia ward I was appalled by the level of obvious lack of duty of care to these beautiful people. Why are we locking our elderly up in institutions and turning them into zombies? We do better with animals. This place was void of love and joy. The depth of hopelessness and sadness has haunted me. The lack of sunlight, conversation, interaction, stimulation and over medication was shocking. Why are we crowd controlling and managing behaviour with extra medications? We asked why and were told “we can’t manage them” These beautiful souls deserve more at this stage of life. Why can’t we have 1 or 2 dementia patients spread around other sections of the home, they would live a more meaningful life, and staff be less stressed. For a facility claiming to be Christian you have missed the mark people. Do better with the enormous fees you charge & go into the dementia ward every week and ask yourself, what if this were me. And please if your considering for your Mother or Father, just Don’t.

Wonderful care. So happy my mum gets great care and attention. The carers are very attentive. Thank you Bethany Aged Care.

Was looking for a place for my Mum. Was very impressed when I went to have a look. But that is where it ended. The Admissions lady would not return calls or answer emails. Even when I rang to complain she still would not get on the phone. Just relayed her message through another person.

Both of our parents spent their final years between Janoah Gardens and The Plains. The care and support they received over several years was both outstanding and compassionate. Some of the staff almost felt a part of our family. We can't thank them enough for what they did for our family.

During covid lock downs my mother in law fell down and broke her hips. After 1 month When the aged care became open again for visiting, we noticed her having difficulty walking. We talked to the nurses and physiotherapist and they dismissed our concern. They said she was ok. It was only when we contacted an external doctor that they requested an X-ray. We found out through the x-ray her hips were broken. I think the plains were negligent in not even get a doctor look at her and getting X-ray. A month later in the hospital after her surgery, my mother in law passed away. After she passed away we never even received a sorry or condolences. Instead we receive a call asking us to grab her belongings The plains is very cold and business like!!