McCauley Lodge residential aged care in Thirroul was a godsend for Lance Puckeridge's wife, Merle.
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Merle has dementia, and has been a resident for the past 18 months, after her dementia became too severe for her to continue to live at home with Lance in Unanderra.
"She's done so well being there in a homely environment, she's really progressed," he said.
Lance and Merle were "devastated" when they learnt yesterday, along with staff and other residents, the centre would close on August 21.
Fresh Hope Care spokesperson, Lynn Bailey, said the closure was due to plans to upgrade the site.
It's their home away from home, and it's being taken from them in a brutal way. Where will they go?
- Lance Puckeridge
"The requirements of aged care buildings means we will not be able to continue to accommodate residents as we pursue our development application," she said.
"As we will not compromise on the safety and health of our residents, we are left with no option but to propose the closure of McCauley Lodge Residential Care Service."
When asked whether Wollongong City Council had directed Fresh Hope Care to close McCauley Lodge, a council spokesperson said a development application had not yet been lodged for the site.
"At this point in time, there is no record of a development application being submitted to the council through the NSW Planning Portal for 8-10 Tasman Parade, Thirroul," the spokesperson said.
"A pre-lodgement application meeting was undertaken in June 2021 in relation to the site, however, the council has not been made aware of the intentions of the applicant regarding any future proposal or the form it may take.
"Should an application be lodged in the near future residents and the community will be notified in accordance with the council's standard practice."
Lance acknowledged the building was old, but said it housed a family, who were distraught at the prospect of being split apart.
"I've been a chaplain for 40 years, and I've never seen people so distraught," he said.
"It is old, it is antiquated, but the was this was handled was awful, for the staff, for the residents, for everybody.
"It's their home, and it's being taken from them in a brutal way.
"Where will they go?"
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