How caring staff make all the difference at
The Terraces in Paddington
When the conversation of moving into residential aged care comes up, one of the biggest concerns is often about the quality of care. Will the staff be kind? Will they take the time to truly listen? Families want to feel sure their loved one is in safe hands, and residents want to know they’ll be well looked after and cared for.
The 2022 National Seniors Aged Care Sentiments Report found that only 20 per cent of older Australians feel confident they would receive high-quality care in residential aged care, with nearly 40 per cent not confident at all. The biggest concerns are about understaffing, lack of compassion, and losing independence.
At Anglicare’s The Terraces in Paddington, these worries are met head-on by staff who love what they do. Residents are supported by people who are passionate about their work, who take time to listen, and who bring love and kindness into daily life. In this article, you’ll see how caring and committed staff make all the difference in creating a home where residents feel respected, safe and understood.
Support from staff who genuinely care
Many Australians worry that residential aged care might feel impersonal, with staff who lack compassion. At The Terraces in Paddington, the opposite is true. It is the staff who make the home what it is, a place where residents feel known, respected and cared for every day.
Lisa, the Physiotherapist at The Terraces, says her role encompasses much more than exercise. “I really enjoy just getting to improve their independence, maintain their mobility and their strength, and [...] generally engaging with them, holding conversations, listening to their past experiences and life lessons.” For Lisa, helping someone reach a small goal, like being able to walk to the balcony to sit in the sun, is as important as any clinical outcome.
Chef Manager Luis feels the same way when he’s in the kitchen. He spends time asking residents what they would like to eat and takes joy in seeing their faces light up when a favourite meal arrives. As he explains, “All the time I ask them what they want, what they like [...] it’s the minimum we can do for them because it’s part of life.” His philosophy is simple: “If they are happy, I’m happy.”
One of the most important ways staff show care is by getting to know each person as an individual. Care at The Terraces meets both the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the residents.
For Stephanie, the Operations Manager, genuine care begins with personal connection. “We can only care for somebody if we really know them. And the only way of getting to know them is by sitting down and having a chat. And listen to their life story, listen to where they came from, preferences, dislikes.”
For her, what makes The Terraces special is the people who work there. “We have a great team. We’ve got lots of lovely carers, nurses […] we work closely with them in order to provide the best care possible.”
Eileen, who has lived at The Terraces since 2018, says she can’t speak highly enough of the staff and the care she receives. “The staff are lovely. They’re wonderful. They’re very kind.”
Person-centred care in action
At The Terraces, person-centred care is put into action every day.. Staff take the time to sit with residents, listen and learn what matters most to them. As Stephanie puts it, “The more you know them, the more they open up and you’re able to support them the way they want to be supported.”
Stephanie explains this is what makes good care possible. “By building a relationship with a resident, you have a [much] easier time [caring] for them and [helping] them.”
She says the heart of this approach is making sure every resident feels valued. “I think it's important that when we [are with] the residents, [they] feel seen and not forgotten.”
This person-centred care approach means residents are recognised for their stories, their preferences, and the small but important details that make them who they are. For families, that offers peace of mind. For residents, it creates a home where they feel understood and supported as individuals.
Fresh, homestyle food residents look forward to
Good food is one of the simplest joys in life, and that doesn’t change for people in residential aged care. A national report from the Aged Care Royal Commission found that 87 per cent of residents see food as important, with many wanting meals that feel homelike, made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
At The Terraces in Paddington, those preferences are brought to life in the kitchen and at the table. Chef Manager Luis makes sure residents have a real say in what’s on the table.
Residents often ask for favourites like sausage with mashed potato, chicken rissoles, vegetarian lasagna or frittata. Luis takes joy in those requests and how happy it makes the residents. He says, “They call me [over and] say ‘Luis, I like my pasta because you do the best pasta for me.’”
The menu is also varied, with comforting bolognese and salmon, to colourful salads, and homemade desserts such as bread and butter pudding, mousses and panna cotta. Luis says nearly everything is cooked with fresh vegetables, from carrots and zucchini to bright cherry tomatoes. He loves the feedback from residents, but even more, the friendships it creates. “You start to make a friendship […] and they feel more confident to talk to you about anything.”
Fridays are especially fun and social, with happy hour bringing wine, beer, cheese biscuits, and plenty of conversation. Luis describes it “like a little cocktail party” - a time when residents come together, laugh, and enjoy the simple pleasure of sharing good food and drink in each other’s company.
A beautiful place to call home
The Terraces in Paddington feels welcoming from the moment you walk in. The home is surrounded by beautiful trees and gardens that make it feel like a peaceful nook in the heart of the city. Stephanie also describes it as “very grand”, adding that “it’s a bit like an oasis […] you don’t feel like you’re in the middle of the city.”
Inside, there are spaces designed to bring people together. Residents and families meet in the café downstairs for coffee, cake, and birthday lunches. The barbecue area is often booked for family celebrations, and there is a playground where grandchildren can play while spending time with their grandparents.
Eileen particularly appreciates the beauty and natural surroundings of The Terraces. “I love sitting outside and in the garden. It’s like wandering around. It’s lovely. We’re very fortunate here. I’m very happy here, I must admit. It’s a lovely home.”
The location of the home only adds to the experience of living here. The Fiveways shops and cafés are less than a kilometre away, Paddington Markets are a short stroll, and Edgecliff Shopping Centre and train station are also within easy reach. Plus, Double Bay Wharf is nearby for ferry trips across the harbour.
Life filled with social activities and family moments
Each day at The Terraces brings something to look forward to. Lisa leads group classes that keep people moving, from yoga and gentle stretching and breathing, to strength and balance sessions with light weights. She also works one-on-one with residents to reach personal goals.
Afternoons are often filled with games and social activities, and many enjoy heading out to the garden or walking to the park next door. The home makes it easy to socialise and spend time connecting, both with other residents and when family comes to visit.
Stephanie spends a lot of time making sure families feel welcome from the very first day. She knows how important it is to ease those first-day nerves, so she takes the time to sit down, chat, and get to know people. As she explains, “I spend a lot of time with the family [on the] first day, and I really try to make them feel comfortable. I’ll reach out to them, have a good chat with them and get to know them.”
That support doesn’t stop after the first meeting. Stephanie reassures families that they can always come to her with questions or concerns, no matter how small. “I try to also let them know that whenever they need anything, they can always reach out to me. There’s never a request that is too silly.”
It’s this balance of care, support, activities and loving kindness that makes The Terraces feel like home for the people who live here, and offers peace of mind for the families who love them.
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Information Pack: The Terraces
The Terraces residential aged care Paddington FAQs
What is daily life like at The Terraces in Paddington?
Daily life at The Terraces moves at your own pace. You can spend time in the garden, meet a friend for coffee, enjoy a class or activity, or simply have some quiet time in your own space. It’s really up to you.
What social activities are offered at The Terraces?
There’s plenty to join in on if you feel like it. Some days it’s exercise or games, other days it might be music, happy hour, or a barbecue. Families often come along too!
Does The Terraces have gardens or outdoor spaces?
Yes, there are lovely gardens to sit in or stroll through, and a park right next door for walks. It’s a beautiful spot filled with nature right in the heart of the city.
What is the food like at The Terraces?
Meals are fresh, varied, and made with love. Residents can often put in requests for certain dishes too, so the menu often feels familiar and homely.
Can family come to visit?
Families are welcome anytime! Many meet in the café for coffee or cake, or book the barbecue area for birthdays and gatherings.
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Inspired by the gospel of reconciliation in Jesus Christ, Anglicare's vision for reconciliation is a nation in which Australia's First Peoples are restored in dignity, respect, empowerment and opportunity.