A thriving community
Since 1959, Karana has been home to a strong and supportive community. From the moment you walk through the door, you’ll notice the warm and homely atmosphere. We pride ourselves on our community spirit and we encourage our residents to get involved in group activities. Our impressive lifestyle program has been curated to ensure a varied and exciting range of activities for all residents to enjoy.
Thoughtful design
We strengthen the community spirit at Karana with our beautiful communal areas and recreational spaces, creating a variety of lovely settings to spend time with other residents, or friends and family when they visit. There have been extensions and refurbishments over the years to ensure the facilities remain in fantastic condition, but the sense of comfort has always prevailed.
Staying connected
We recognise the benefit technology can offer our residents. To help support our residents living with dementia, we use specialised interactive apps on touchscreen tablet devices. Our residents and their visitors can also access WiFi throughout our facility.
A place where you can feel at home
Karana is a spacious, two-storey building with 93 rooms, catering to all levels of care. Both floors are divided into four wings, each with a kitchenette, dining room and sitting room, so that residents can easily access communal areas near their room. Residents can dine together in the main ground floor dining room, spend time in the sun room, or host visitors in one of the many outdoor areas set within leafy, landscaped gardens. Karana also has a lounge, gymnasium and craft room for residents to enjoy.
Room types
At Karana, we offer two room types – private, sole-occupied rooms and shared rooms for two residents. See pricing snapshot for details. Residents are invited to decorate their room to their own taste, so that it feels like home. All rooms are bright and spacious, featuring:
- Ensuite bathroom (either shared or private, all with nurse call button)
- High-quality fixtures, furniture and fittings
- Central heating
- Built-in wardrobes with lockable storage
- Picture rails
- Light above the bed
- Nurse alarm system
- Lovely street or courtyard views.
Couples accommodation
We try our very best to accommodate couples. We have four shared rooms which are suited to couples. If a shared room is not available, or if individual rooms are preferred, we will try to allocate rooms opposite or beside each other.
Pets
Although we cannot accommodate residents’ pets on a permanent basis, animals are welcome to visit and we do have our very own Community cat, Mona.
Care tailored to your specific needs
Karana is a residential aged care community that excels in providing support to those requiring a higher level of care. With registered nurses on-site at all times, Karana is accredited to provide all levels of residential aged care including permanent, respite and palliative care. Each resident will have a personalised care plan, which will be developed together with the resident and their family.
Nursing care
Our qualified and experienced staff provide exceptional care and support. All our staff are carefully selected and trained to ensure that our residents receive the best possible care.
Medical care
Beyond 24/7 nursing care, other health services available on-site at Karana include:
- Foot care and podiatry
- Physiotherapy
- Speech therapy
- Diversional therapy
- GP home visits.
Nutritional care
You will be offered a varied choice of tasty, healthy meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. All food is prepared fresh every day by chefs on-site. Meal options come at no additional cost to our residents. A dietitian helps to plan the menu and takes into consideration all cultural, religious and dietary requirements. Relatives and friends are welcome to join you for meals with advance booking.
Keep up with your favourite pastimes
Our team of lifestyle staff have created a stimulating program of activities and experiences to choose from. Activities can be tailored to meet your individual interests, cultural background, and social, emotional and physical abilities. You can maintain your hobbies and interests by joining in with any of our diverse social events, church services, library visits and films. Along with a range of cultural celebrations and special guests, we celebrate significant birthdays and dates
Stay involved with the local community
Karana has strong ties to the Kew community and many of our residents were referred by friends from the area. Our residents continue to engage with the local community through our lifestyle program, and students from several schools in the Kew/Hawthorn area regularly visit and perform for residents. We are also very lucky to have a committed group of local volunteers who provide additional companionship for our residents. They are a valued part of our community.
Room to host family and friends
Above all, Karana is your home, so your friends and family are always welcome here. You can choose to spend time with them in our beautiful shared areas, or we also have private function rooms that you can book for special occasions.
Pastoral care
Pastoral care is an important part of life at all Baptcare communities, including Karana. Our chaplains are available to listen to residents and their families and journey alongside them, whatever their background or situation. We offer emotional and spiritual support, honouring each person’s unique spirituality and how they find meaning and purpose. Our chaplains also assist with prayer, worship, sacraments and other spiritual practices, including regular devotional and church services where appropriate.