St Nicholas was built by The Greek Ladies Philoptochos Society of Saint George that was established in 1959. The Foundation President was the Very Reverend Father Gregory Sakelariou. After extensive fundraising their dream to care for the aged and frail of our community, came true. The Greek Ladies Philoptochos continue to this day to fundraise for St Nicholas so that residents may receive the best of care and service.
About Us
St Nicholas Nursing Home Ltd manages a 73 bed aged care facility comprising of a 43 bed nursing home and a 30 bed hostel catering to the Greek elderly. The nursing home was built in 1981 and refurbished in 1995 and the extension completed in 2005 and the hostel in 1992. Both are located on the one site and situated a few minutes from the city Centre.
Residents are predominantly from a Hellenic background however from time to time non-Greek residents reside at St Nicholas. The facility operates under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Church of St George and residents maintain strong spiritual links with the Church and the greater Greek community. An audio-visual link exists to the St George Church to enable residents to continue actively participating in spiritual life.
St Nicholas has strong links with the Greek community. Residents continue to participate in a variety of community activities and the community participates in life at St Nicholas. Religious and culturally significant events are celebrated at St Nicholas and the leaders of the Greek community participate in many of these celebrations.
The Board of Management of St Nicholas Nursing Home & Hostel actively embraces the commitment of excellence in culturally appropriate care and service provision to residents. Residents and their extended families vigorously participate in decision making at St Nicholas.
The non-nursing staff of St Nicholas Nursing Home and Hostel are predominantly of Greek background and speak both Greek and English. Nursing personnel consist of some Greek speaking staff however are predominantly of Australian or other backgrounds. Staff are selected on their sensitivity to the culture and ability to uphold the Greek values of elders as worthy, productive and respected members of the community.
St Nicholas provides a culturally appropriate service to residents. Care, diet, diversional therapy and human resource management encompass the need to meet resident’s cultural and linguistic needs. All staff learn a basic level of Greek language to build engagement between staff and residents and to enable resident needs to be met with greater safety and dignity. The staff development program includes cultural and language education.
Extended families are encouraged to continue caring for their relative and do so with varying levels of involvement.
Our Mission:
Is to provide the highest standard of culturally appropriate care based on love and respect while assisting individual residents maintain their emotional, spiritual and physical potential.
Our Philosophy:
Is to promote the spiritual, physical, mental and social well-being of persons from Hellenic and other backgrounds by supporting their individual, cultural and community identity. Also to enhance quality of life by maximising and preserving independence within the individual’s capabilities.
This is to be achieved by supporting the individual and their extended family and by ensuring a safe and home-like environment in which individuality and dignity can be maintained.
We respect each person’s cultural, religious and political beliefs and freedom of speech. We offer our residents the right of choice to enable control over their lives to promote dignity and quality of life.
Our home offers this through an approach based on empathy, respect, communication and care.