A formula for quality living

At Holly Lea Village, residents enjoy a purposeful and companionable way of life in beautiful surroundings. The care setting is exceptional, and for those with higher-level needs, a new boutique care centre provides a real sense of home and a lifestyle with care.

On a tour of Holly Lea with General Manager Juliane Brand, it is easy to be charmed by the lovely gardens and modern, integrated layout and design. Holly Lea is centrally located in Fendalton, and the standard of facilities is high. From the main building (‘The Lodge’) through to the modern Morven apartment annex, new care centre, and landscaped grounds, there is a unified sense of hospitality and personalised care.

Holly Lea has historic connections with Allan McLean, who built McLean’s Mansion on Manchester Street, and it’s fascinating to learn that some of the mansion’s original fittings and furnishings are still part of the fabric of life here. That respect for heritage and tradition is complemented by a thoughtful, modern layout throughout the village and its residences.

Juliane’s background is in nursing and health science teaching, but she found her true calling in the aged care sector after moving to New Zealand from South Africa in 2006. She completed a Master’s degree at Otago University focused on quality of life in aged residential care and has since played a lead role in shaping Holly Lea’s development.

“Since joining Generus Living Group [owners of Holly Lea] in 2015, I’ve had the freedom to implement my dream here and make a difference in people’s lives. It has been such a privilege.”

Holly Lea’s new care centre, including a specialised memory support unit, is part of a more than $80 million investment by Generus into the village. From bespoke wallpaper and furniture to innovative care tools, nothing about this place feels ‘institutional’. Alongside the attention to detail in design is a high level of holistic and personalised care. The centre is staffed by a specialised team led by Care Manager Eva Bragat.

Every suite in the memory support and dementia care unit has a sunny outlook, and the feel is homely and inviting. At the heart of the ground floor is a beautiful garden atrium with a mature golden elm tree. While this is a secure unit, there is unrestricted access to the atrium and enclosed outdoor gardens.

“We want our residents to have freedom of movement within a secure environment. You’ll see the lounge and dining areas are all very open too, with no division between the hospital team and residents.”

The care centre’s sensory room with a Nordic Relaxation Chair offers residents a calming multi-sensory experience. Another innovative tool soon to arrive from offshore is the Tovertafel, or ‘magic table’ that creates interactive moving images to support sensory engagement.

With the latest smart technology and beautiful custom décor, the upper-level care suites and generous lounge, dining and open-plan areas display the same strong commitment to personalised care and comfort.

Services for residents include a hair and beauty salon which features a relaxation chair.

Holly Lea welcomed its first residents to their new home at the care centre in May.