On Wednesday 16 July, Resthaven Murray Bridge and Resthaven Murray Mallee Hills Community Services came together to celebrate Resthaven’s 90th anniversary. A combined party was held at the John Dohler Hall in Murray Bridge. Around 150 people gathered in the hall, with another 100 residents and family members joining via video link from the aged care … Continued
Previously, different assessment teams handled basic and complex care needs. This often meant repeating your story and being referred between organisations.
Launched in December 2024, this system replaces the old two-step process with one streamlined process for all levels of care.
One assessment process for all aged care services, instead of two One national team to … Continued
On Friday 20 June, staff at Resthaven Paradise and Eastern Community Services (PECS) packed 90 backpacks for the Share the Dignity charity as part of Resthaven’s 90th anniversary celebrations. The backpacks, filled with personal hygiene items (as well as a few luxury goodies), will soon be on their way to women living in crisis. Clients of … Continued
On Friday 25 July 2025, a ‘turn the turf’ ceremony was held at the Resthaven Marion campus at Finniss Street, Marion, to officially mark the beginning of Stage One of the $100M site redevelopment. This large-scale redevelopment will meet the community’s needs across the entire continuum of aged care services, with Stage One being the … Continued
Bed capacity in our hospitals remains a significant challenge for South Australia. One of the reasons given is the growing number of older people spending extended time in hospital. However, suggestions that lack of access to aged care is the cause, while simple and convenient, fails to address the complexity of the situation. Most aged … Continued
Having made almost 700 knee rugs for the needy, you might think Mrs Rose Harrop, Resthaven Western Community Services client, would have had enough of knitting needles and crochet hooks. However, Rose says she has found her calling and she has no intention of slowing down. Wearing a knitted jumper she had finished off that … Continued
At Resthaven Limestone Coast Community Services, the Naracoorte day respite and social support groups are proving to be a hit with locals. The Naracoorte office The social groups meet regularly at Resthaven’s office at 17 Gordon Street, Naracoorte. Clients direct the activities, and there is always time for a good chat and a relaxing hot … Continued
Resthaven Marion Community Services client Mrs Gloria Stephenson, 96, might be Resthaven’s longest-running client. Resthaven began supporting individuals living in the community in the early 1980s, with Day Therapy Centres co-located at several sites across Adelaide. The ‘Links’ program began in the early 1990s, which offered home support including three meals a day, assistance with … Continued
When Mr Ross Hill, a resident of Resthaven Murray Bridge, received a last-minute invitation to the Sporting Car Club of SA’s ‘Old Crocks Run’ event on Sunday 4 May, he was keen to attend along with his granddaughter, Mikayla. The management team at Resthaven Murray Bridge wanted to assist him in getting to the event, … Continued
With a sparkle in his eye and a spring in his step, Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services client Mr Francis (Frank) Porter is ringing in his 100th birthday with his signature humour and positive attitude. Frank, who turns 100 on 18 June, says that there is no secret to his longevity – it’s mostly just luck of … Continued
It is not a simple matter to decide that you need support at home. Or to accept that you are ready to let a stranger into your home to assist you. After reaching this conclusion, the next step is to complete the online assessment on My Aged Care. And you wait. After a short while, … Continued
Resthaven is delighted to have been Highly Commended in the 2025 Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands awards for the category of ‘Home Care – South Australia and Northern Territory’. On Thursday 12 June, Resthaven Executive Manager Community Services and Retirement Living, Mel Ottaway, accepted the award at The Tea Room, Queen Victoria Building, 455 George Street, … Continued
‘Life is what you make it,’ says Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services client Mrs Jennifer (Jen) Hettner. Jen, who will celebrate her 90th birthday on 4 June (and shares a birth year with Resthaven, 1935), has given it her all across numerous ventures. From being a loving and proud wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, to embracing … Continued
Upon meeting Dorothy ‘Dot’ Mickan, it is immediately clear that she has a deep and genuine love, compassion, and respect for the work that she does. Dot is a Home Support Worker with Resthaven Murray Mallee Hills Community Services and the recent recipient of Resthaven’s inaugural ‘President Award’ at the 2025 Resthaven Excellence Awards. ‘I … Continued
On Friday 11 April, around 120 Resthaven Riverland Community Services clients, staff and community members of came together for a high tea extravaganza to celebrate Resthaven’s 90th anniversary. Held at the Berri Cottage Homes Community Centre, the theme for the event was ‘Through the Ages’ and staff dressed in costumes to represent the past 90 years. … Continued
Arriving in Australia in the 1950s from the Netherlands, Resthaven Onkaparinga Community Services clients, Mr Willem (Wim) and Mrs Johanna (Annie) Overmeyer have witnessed many innovations over the years – and they have even been instrumental in some of them. With warmth and humour, they marvel at the changes and the adventures they have been … Continued
On Saturday 17 May, Resthaven Western Community Services client Mrs Rhonda Logan celebrates her 100th birthday. Rhonda, who lives with her husband of 79 years, Peter, at Henley Beach, has two celebrations planned with friends and family. ‘I really don’t know where all the years have gone,’ Rhonda says. ‘I’ve had a blessed life with good friends … Continued
Quality of life is something we all aim for, and never is it more important than in the last days, months or years of someone’s life. This week is National Palliative Care Week (11-17 May) – a time to reflect on the benefits that palliative care brings. Karen Gregory, Resthaven’s Palliative Care Advanced Practice Nurse, … Continued
A client of Resthaven Western Community Services, Mrs Elizabeth (Giz) James is an accomplished and successful visual artist, working across many mediums. Creating with pencils, oil and water paintings, sculpture, and printmaking, Giz’s style has changed as she learnt new skills, but in each medium she has excelled. She has travelled the world to learn … Continued
It was double the celebrations on Wednesday 23 April when Resthaven Marion and Resthaven Marion Community Services held events to commemorate Resthaven’s 90th anniversary in 2025. Around 90 clients, family members and staff joined the afternoon tea and expo at Resthaven Marion Community Services, where long-standing client Gloria Stephenson, 96, cut the cake. ‘I started very … Continued