IT’S taken 12 months and $2.5million but Akooramak has had a makeover.

Amazingly, the significant refurbishments have all been done whilst the aged care facility has continued to run and Akooramak Chief Executive Officer Darryl Chapman said it had been a long process.

“We actually started with retro-fitting the sprinkler system in 2014 and ended up finishing that two years earlier than it was required,” he said.

“That essentially led us straight into the current works.”

Mr Chapman said the refurbishments were helped along with government incentives.

“The idea was to ensure that all aged care facilities have the highest level of living standard available to all residents,” he said.

“It was a sizeable chunk of money that we put up front but now the work has been done and we can demonstrate that we have a significant refurbishment and a higher level of living, we are then eligble for the partial reimbursement of funds.

“Unfortunately thought the government has slashed $3billion in funding from aged care over the next four years, which is a bitter pill to swallow but that’s something we’ll have to learn to work around.”

Mr Chapman said the refurbishments included upgraded ensuites, new flooring in hallways and rooms, new cupboards and storage, a complete repainting and some decorative features.

“We also added air conditioning units to every single room, which is a big thing at this time of year especially,” he said.

“The residents tend to use the heating a bit at night.

We’ve also added two new rooms in McCulloch and five new rooms in Northway.”

This doesn’t mean extra capacity however.

“These renovations will see the last of the twin rooms in the facility,” Mr Chapman said.

“This means every resident will now have their own room and own ensuite.”

Some of the new rooms have a little extra special touch included.

“The five new rooms in Northway all have bright different coloured doors,” Mr Chapman said.

“One resident calls his room the ‘Kings Palace’ due to it’s regal purple door.

“The Warwick Benevolent Society Inc (Akooramak’s governing body) is very grateful for the support it recieves and is very pleased to be able to complete this work and offer a higher standard of living for our residents.”

Work is expected to be completed by September.