Regis Aged Care

Regis Torquay in Victoria has transformed an unused room into Torquay Station, a vintage train carriage designed to give seniors living with dementia the opportunity to 'travel the world' without leaving home. Over two months, four employees sourced antique features and carefully constructed the carriage from the ground up, creating an immersive space for seniors, families and employees to enjoy. Complete with moving scenery outside the carriage windows, the space has been created to inspire reminiscence and conversation. General Manager Sharon Sapstead said the vision was always to create something that offered more than another place to sit. "The room has been a real labour of love for our team. Every detail has been carefully chosen, and we're excited to finally welcome seniors and their families aboard and see the conversations and memories it inspires." Lifestyle Coordinator Yvette Watts said the team wanted to create an experience that would encourage connection through conversation. "Some people will recognise places they've been, while others might simply enjoy watching the scenery roll by. That's what we're looking forward to most, seeing where those conversations take people." Yvette says the feedback after the first virtual trip was overwhelmingly positive, and the space is already becoming a well-loved corner of the Home.

We're proud to share that Regis has been recognised with Project of the Year at the 2026 Hospitality in Healthcare VIC/TAS State Excellence Awards, for our launch of the Simple Food app across our Homes. National Food Safety Manager, Bryan Seeborun, said the change transformed Regis' meal ordering and food safety processes. "This award is the culmination of years spent asking one simple question: how do we make life better for our residents? From going paperless across our sites to reducing our carbon footprint, it's about constant improvement," Bryan shared. Congratulations to everyone involved in this important project.

Aged care is made up of thousands of moments, and every one starts with our people. Today, we recognise and celebrate every Regis employee for their commitment to supporting and caring for our residents, clients and families. Happy Aged Care Employee Day.

Regis has entered into an agreement to acquire the Home Care business of Royal Freemasons in Victoria, marking another important step in the growth of our Home Care services. As more older Australians choose to remain living independently at home, we're committed to expanding access to high-quality, personalised care that helps people stay connected to the people, places and communities they love. We look forward to working closely with Royal Freemasons, their employees and clients throughout the transition process and, upon completion, welcoming them to Regis.

Many young people never consider aged care as a career. Not because it isn't rewarding, but because they don't know roles like Resident Companion exist. For Tyler, studying engineering and balancing football, aged care wasn't part of the plan. "Before I started, I never really thought about working in aged care, but it's been one of the most rewarding jobs," he said. Working as a Resident Companion has given Tyler the opportunity to build genuine relationships with residents while developing communication skills, confidence and empathy, skills that will benefit him throughout his career, wherever it takes him. "I'd tell other young people to give it a go. You build genuine relationships, every day is different, and you can make someone's day just by spending time with them."

"I've got four very, very, very lovely friends that I visit every day, every morning." For Glenys, at Regis Cranbourne in Victoria, friendship has become one of the most meaningful parts of life in aged care. Connection is fundamental to wellbeing. In aged care, the relationships people build with fellow residents and the employees who support them can help create a genuine sense of belonging and community. This International Friendship Day, we're celebrating the friendships that make our homes feel like home. Watch Glenys share her story.

Today, more than 30 Regis chefs from across Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania came together at Comcater for our annual Southern Chef Managers conference. The group heard from a range of experts on panned food safety, new technology and products and met with a range of suppliers. The day also featured a special Masterchef-style mystery box challenge. National Manager, Hotel Services, Alastair England said: “Today was an amazing oppourtunity for collaboration between all of our chefs. It was a chance to engage on new ideas, concepts and innovations to help improve the nutrition and hydration of our residents.”

Why the best aged care gardens are focused on people, not plants When people think about aged care gardens, they often picture colourful flower beds, neatly trimmed hedges and shady trees. While these things all contribute to a welcoming environment, they aren't where good garden design begins. The best aged care gardens are designed around people. Every decision, from the trees we plant to the paths we create, should make it easier for residents to enjoy spending time outdoors. That includes thinking not just about how a garden will look today, but how it will grow and be used for years to come. According to Regis Landscaping and Grounds Manager Mark Bradley, one of the biggest mistakes in landscaping is "the wrong plant in the wrong place." "A tree might look like the perfect choice today, but if its roots damage pathways, its branches create hazards or it requires constant maintenance as it matures, it wasn't the right choice," Mark said. "When we're selecting plants, we're thinking five, 10, 15 or even 20 years ahead. We want gardens that last longer, need less maintenance and continue to provide enjoyable outdoor spaces for residents." That critical thinking extends beyond the plants themselves. Garden design considers how residents move through a space, where they naturally gather, how safe and accessible pathways are, where shade is needed and what can be added to encourage people to spend more time outside. Mark has a simple way of assessing every garden. "When I walk into a Home, I look down, I look straight ahead and then I look up," he said. "I'm looking for trip hazards, how residents move through and enjoy the space and whether there are branches or trees that could become a safety risk.” Just as importantly, Mark says the gardens should feel familiar. “Many older Australians have spent decades tending their own gardens, so selecting plants that residents recognise can help create a sense of comfort. Colour, texture and fragrance can also stimulate memories and encourage engagement, particularly for people living with dementia,” he said. “Landscaping in aged care is about much more than creating attractive outdoor spaces. It's about creating places where people feel comfortable and familiar, about creating spaces where people want to be.”

Quality aged care isn't delivered by one profession, it's built by many and hospitality is one of them. Every day, hospitality teams help shape the resident experience through meals that provide comfort, familiarity and opportunities to connect. As a Regional Hospitality Services Specialist, Roy Moran mentors Chef Managers across our Homes, helping hospitality teams deliver dining experiences that support both nutrition and wellbeing. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gDfXtczW

Our Home Care team in Brisbane attended the Caloundra Retirement Living & Senior Lifestyle Expo yesterday, where they enjoyed meeting and chatting with people interested in learning more about Support at Home and the services available to them. If you couldn't make it yesterday, we'll be at number of upcoming expos over the next couple months. • August 13th - Broadbeach Waters - Senior Group • August 21st - Crestmead Community Centre - Senior Group • September 2nd - The Sunshine Coast Retirement Living & Senior Lifestyle Expo • September 11-12th - Care Expo Brisbane Whether you're considering Home Care now or simply exploring your options for the future, we'd love to meet you. Come along and chat with our friendly team to learn more about how Regis can support you to live independently at home.