40 independent living apartments are to be built at an aged care facility, with the Not For Profit organisation shedding the aged care title to show how times are changing.

Benevolent Society, the first and oldest charity in Australia, has rebranded Benevolent Aged Care into Benevolent Living. A five-storey building will be built at the Rockhampton facility for the independent living apartments.

Hutchinson Builders, of Brisbane, has won the tender for the $49 million redevelopment, which also includes the construction of a new resident care building with one-bedroom apartments for married couples and the complete refurbishment of the reception area and coffee shop.

“We are transforming from the traditional medical model and reinvigorating residential care with a new social lifestyle model that focuses on health, wellness, meaning and purpose not just clinical care,” said CEO Alison Moss.

“The concept is very exciting as it means that our residents will have the ability to ‘age in place’ all the support and services will be available in our community. We also have the benefit of being centrally located and close to hospitals and medical professionals.”