A MASSIVE $11.265 million grant to Wheatfields residential care facility is an “absolute tremendous success” for the Freeling community, its chief executive said.

Wheatfields was a big winner in the latest round of the Federal Government’s 2020 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR), which saw $150 million awarded across 72 infrastructure projects nationwide.

In what was the single largest investment in residential aged-care infrastructure in Australia’s history, Wheatfields was awarded $11.265 million – the second highest grant nationally – towards a long-awaited extension of its existing Hanson Street site.

The residential aged-care facility, which is run by a volunteer community board nominated by the community, also won seven new bed licences to total 60 beds.

“We are very excited about our successful application in the latest ACAR round which will assist us in growing and meeting our mission to serve older people, responding to their needs through the provision of quality services and accommodation,” Wheatfields chief executive Michelle Schupelius said.

“We are going to be able to carry out an extensive renovation allowing us to add extra beds and vastly improve the living spaces for our residents.

“We will be able to convert 20 rooms that currently have shared bathrooms to single rooms with private ensuite bathroom.

“We can improve the environment of our 16-bed memory support unit making us able to enhance the delivery of dementia care by creating a more open and free-flowing space.”

The Wheatfields site was formerly the district’s hospital until it closed in 1982. It was reopened by the community as an aged-care home.

“There are limited health and personal services in Freeling outside of Wheatfields Inc,” Ms Schupelius said.

“Our extension at Wheatfields will, once it’s completed, be large enough to provide a ‘wellness hub’ for the community to use for visiting doctors, allied health professionals, local hairdressing and more, which will assist to serve Wheatfields and the broader community.”

The latest ACAR also benefited Tanunda Lutheran Homes, which received a $642,000 grant towards a four-room expansion.

Meanwhile, Gawler’s Grand Views, on Duffield Street, received approval for an extra nine beds.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the funding represented more than just bricks and mortar.

“It offers peace-of-mind and security notonly for local residents already in care but also those who are carefully considering the next phase of their life,” Mr Pasin said.

South Australia benefited from more than $17.8 million in capital grant funding and had an extra 157 bed licences approved.