There are around 1,000 people living with dementia in the Benalla region – a number predicted to grow to 3,000 by 2050.
Now Samaria House will provide housing for up to 10 people with dementia in a home-like setting with access to care services after the local Cooinda Board voted to convert to existing buildings to the model.
Residents will be able to do their own cooking, cleaning and laundry with some assistance, similar to living in their own home.
New research has shown the model can offer better health outcomes for residents than traditional, institutionalised models of care, but also found the initial establishment costs are higher.
