Fern River is a permanent residential facility for individuals requiring 24 hour support. On site care support workers provide the necessary care required by these younger residents which would otherwise only be available in a nursing home setting.
Residents enjoy living in their own villa in this homely setting. Fern River is a cluster of six purpose built units opened in 1998, located in Wilson, and was built as a joint venture between the MS Society, the Department of Housing and works, Lotterywest and the Disability Services Commission (DSC).
Originally designed to support seven people with multiple sclerosis, it now caters for 10 residents with some shared unit options, including a family member, and a single occupier option. Residents pay a rental, and for their own expenses in their unit including telephone, electricity, insurance, food and personal items.
Funding for the ongoing provision of care is provided by the DSC and the MS Society manages the complex and provides trained staff and other supports and services for the residents. The Member Services General Manager has overall responsibility for the day to day provision of all the Society’s statewide services. The Member Services General Manager is responsible to the Society’s Chief Executive Officer. The Finance Department undertakes Fern River’s financial management, payroll, purchases and accounts
Access to Fern River is subject to individual eligibility, available vacancy and DSC approval. The service is subject to regular evaluation by the DSC and must deliver services that align with the Disability Services Standards. The Department of Housing and Works monitors the Fern River annually to ensure the facility is well maintained.
Staffing
Fern River is managed on a day to day basis by the Fern River Manager, a senior Registered Nurse and is supported by an Assistant Coordinator. Care Support Workers are onsite 24 hours per day all year round. Additional nursing supervision and support is also available, with Enrolled Nurses on a daily basis during the week and on-call cover afterhours. A Physiotherapy Assistant, under the supervision of a physiotherapist, attends to provide stretching and other exercises for residents. Staff training and assessment of competencies is supervised by the MS Society coordinator of training and Development.
Read more here about Fern River staff and management.
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The Villas
Fern River is a complex of six individual 3 bedroom villas. Each villa is spacious, wheelchair friendly and designed to enhance the resident’s quality of life. Tracking hoists and accessible bathrooms have been designed to accommodate all necessary aids and equipment; to enhance the safety of both the resident and the staff. Each villa has a private outdoor area with small gardens and paved area.
Additional rooms in two of the villas accommodate an office a staff room and operations hub. A purpose built communal lounge area provides valuable space for residents, and their families, to enjoy special social events.
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Lifestyle
Within the constraints of the Society’s obligation to maintain the well being of the residents and to the extent to which the abilities of each resident allows, each individual is encouraged to exercise personal choice and involvement in aspects of their lives. For example, residents choose the time of day they wish to receive their daily bathing, choice of meals and their recreational activities.
Interaction with family and friends is encouraged and facilitated by staff. Residents regularly host their own events including morning tea or lunch with the family and birthday celebrations.
As with any other community housing complex our residents can choose to interact with each other, and the broader community as little or as much as they choose.
Care support workers and a modified vehicle are available to assist individuals to access the community; however multi-purpose taxis are frequently used for convenience. Many residents choose to attend the Wilson Outreach Centre where they catch up old friends and enjoy the many opportunities available there.
Read the Policy on Fern River Entry and Exit Criteria here.
For further information contact the Fern River Manager on 9356 2747
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