Live life your way at Dudley Foord House, Residential aged care at the Ponds

Your routine, at your pace 

Life at Dudley Foord House moves at a pace that suits the residents of this community. You choose when you would like to start your day and how you would like to spend your time. It’s a balance of freedom and support that lets everyone live on their own terms. 

Resident Ann likes that she can come and go as she pleases. She signs herself out at reception if she’s heading out for the day and is grateful, she can continue her hobby of gardening as she tends to her plants in the courtyard. For her, having a say over small choices is extremely important. “My freedom is very dear to me,” she explains.  

Christine enjoys the same flexibility. After moving in for respite care, she decided to stay, surprised by how much independence she still had. She enjoys how she gets to choose activities that interest her and is keen to try something new. “You’ve got to have an open mind,” she says. “Go to one activity, and you’ll see how friendly everyone is. You start going, and you find your place.” 

Every routine looks a little different here. Some people spend the morning outside, others take part in group sessions, or rest in their rooms. What connects everyone is the freedom to choose how to spend their time.  

A home where you feel loved  

Residents at Dudley Foord House often say it’s the carers who make the biggest difference.  They know each resident by name and take time to stop, listen and check in with everyone. Over time, these small but meaningful actions build genuine connections and help make the home feel like family. 

Christine describes the staff as “beautiful” and says they’ve become an extension of her own family. “It’s like your family’s gone from four or five people to fifty,” she explains.  She says the warmth and kindness she receives from the staff go beyond daily care. “Sometimes you just feel a bit down or you’re missing family, and they come in and ask, ‘Do you need a hug?’ They’ll take ten minutes to sit with you and talk. It makes you feel loved.” 

Joyce, who has lived at Dudley Foord for several years, says the staff bring a gentleness to everything they do. “They’re caring. They are very caring people. It makes a lot of difference.”  

Ann has experienced the same level of care over her seven years at the home. She says the quality of care is something that helps residents to stay active and independent. “If you don’t get good care, then you can’t do much,” she says. “It’s the good care that enables you to be healthy and follow your activities.” 

For Maha, who has worked at Dudley Foord for eight years, the feeling of love and connection is mutual. “They’re like my family now. They’re very happy to see us in the morning. It makes me feel so happy that they take us as family too.” 

Every day brings something to enjoy  

There’s always something happening at Dudley Foord House. As Ann says, “There are so many activities that you can’t attend them all. Everyone finds something that suits them. There’s always something that will attract you.” 

Some days begin with the walk-and-talk group, where residents stroll through the gardens together. Other days the home is buzzing from a visit from the local primary school, or the tempting smell of popcorn drifts in from the cinema room.  

Christine enjoys being involved in many parts of life at Dudley Foord House, and she likes to keep busy. She’s part of the WElders (Wise Elders), a group of residents who represent the voice of residents within their home. They meet monthly with Anglicare management to provide feedback and discuss anything that impacts the residents. She says it’s a good feeling knowing that every voice is heard and that even small ideas are taken seriously.  

She also loves the cinema room, joking that it should be named after her. “I’m always in there,” she laughs. “Sometimes I think, why sit in my room watching Netflix when I can go to the cinema with surround-sound and popcorn?” 

Ann never expected life in aged care to open up so many new interests and talents. “Since moving into Dudley Foord, I’ve learned and discovered so many things about myself,” she says. “I learned how to draw, how to paint, and that I’m a writer as well. I write for the newsletter every month.” 

There are also art classes, men’s and ladies’ groups, music sessions, and regular bus outings, along with gardening, happy hour, and exercise programs in the wellness centre. Each week brings a mix of familiar favourites and something new to try. 

Living with confidence and independence  

For many who live at Dudley Foord House, moving in has given them a new kind of freedom; the space to live safely while still doing the things they enjoy. Residents decide how involved they want to be, whether that means joining every activity on the calendar or spending quiet mornings in their own rooms. 

Ann says she didn’t expect this kind of freedom from living in residential aged care. She thought aged care would be restrictive, but instead found more choice than she imagined. “I didn’t expect a life like I’m leading here,” she says. “But I found a new life here, and it surprised me.” 

For Christine, having a choice in her day-to-day routine has made Dudley Foord House feel like home. She enjoys how she can decide how to spend her days. “It’s home now, and home is beautiful every day,” she says. 

Ann echoes the same sentiment saying Dudley Foord House feels like home. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” she says. 

For Ann, Christine and many other residents, life at Dudley Foord House offers the freedom, choice, and support so you feel truly at home. 

Dudley Foord House is home in every sense 

Dudley Foord House is a residential aged care home where residents can live with a sense of ease, knowing the people around them treat them with care, understanding and respect. 

Each day moves at its own rhythm, with the freedom to make choices, the comfort of familiar faces and the feeling of family that makes this place home.  

And Christine advises, “If anyone else is thinking about moving to Dudley Foord, come. You’ll love it. You won’t be sorry.” 

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FAQs

What kind of accommodation can residents expect? 
 
Every resident has their own room with a private ensuite. Rooms are bright and comfortable, with built-in storage, air conditioning, and a Smart TV. The majority of rooms open out to your own courtyard and garden, connecting to walking paths that surround the home. 

What services and facilities are included? 
 
There’s a café, hair salon, chapel, library, and a wellness centre for visiting health professionals. Each wing has its own dining and lounge areas, and there are courtyards and walking paths throughout the home. Wi-Fi and an app help families stay in touch, and there’s a chaplain on site for anyone who needs support or just wants a chat. 

What activities and lifestyle programs are offered? 
 
There’s something happening each day, from walking groups and art classes to movie afternoons and bus outings. The cinema room, gardening areas, and social events like happy hour are favourites. Residents can take part as much or as little as they like. 

What are the meals like? 
 
Meals are prepared fresh each day and shared in the dining rooms. Residents have an option of main meal with dessert at lunch. With other options if choose, such as: a hot breakfast and a glass of wine or beer with lunch. Residents invited to join the food focus group, where they share ideas and give feedback on the menus.  

Can family and friends visit as often as they’d like? 
 
Yes, family and friends are welcome anytime. The café, outdoor courtyards, as well as private meeting spots make it easy to spend time with loved ones.  

How can families find out more? 
 
You can call Anglicare on 1300 111 278 or visit anglicare.org.au/dudley-foord to book a tour. The team will show you around, answer your questions and help you get a feel for the home.