Sunrise Supported Living - Forster / Tuncurry

Looking for a place to live in your later years, for you and your partner or a loved one, is usually a frustrating and worrying time. Selling up the family home and downsizing precious possessions can cause heartache and then of course, the family pet (if any) is of the greatest importance.Having watched the development of Sunrise Supported Living over recent years, we were interested enough to take a closer look and to find out more about the supported living available to us.Having read all the advertising and the reviews on Sunrise, we made our first inspection. Clutching Buddy, an over active 10 month old Chihuahua, it was with some trepidation that we sat down to a meeting with management.Deciding on the accommodation that would suit us was easy enough as there was plenty of choice. There was much more storage space than I expected. The units are well designed and fitted with electrical appliances, larger doorways for walkers or wheel chairs, waist high wall switches and other features to cater for physically challenged clients (like myself). I did lament about where I could store all my art and craft goodies. It was suggested that we install a storage cupboard. We did exactly that and I am delighted with the results.Being an avid gardener I had been worrying about how much I would miss my garden and interest in propagating plants and studying the environmental effects on them and their adaption to drought and coastal conditions. Little did I know that the gardens of Sunrise would be such a sight to behold. Years of attention by horticulturists was really showing magnificent results last spring. Shade plants were a sight for sore eyes with flowering orchids better than any orchid show, Ferns, flowering shrubs. Rows and rows of Lavender, Rosemary, magnificent Magnolia flowers and too many others to mention here, were most impressive. How do they grow like that I wondered?Taking a look at the new buildings on the construction sight I asked about the rainwater on the huge roofline and found that all this water is harvested to tanks and reticulated through the garden via under ground drip lines. this initiative is a wonderful environmental exercise. Watering during the night time saves evaporation of this precious water which in turn allows further use of excess water for some household usage.Now that I live here, I just can’t help myself when I see a little weed emerging or a vine that needs a hand to clutch onto its frame. I just have to do what a gardener does. I don’t think anyone minds. No need to worry about leaving your previous garden though, you have all the garden you could ever need here, with gardeners to do all the work for you.Buddy being a tiny 1.5kg. Dog is a happy friendly little therapy guy who brings smiles to the faces of most of the residents and staff each day. He gives free kisses and cuddles to those that would like them and he loves his walks (on a lead of course) around the village and out along Chapmans Road past the local Community Park and into Lumpy’s Garden Nursery. If you have the energy, walk a little further and enjoy the semi rural surprises along the way.Being a gated community, Sunrise has A1 security with well lit surrounds. Security screens on windows and doors give me a great sense of safety at night. Along with the 24 hour Nursing Care and a Vital Call System within reach, there is no lost sleep at night for us.Residents are able to participate in as many “ in house “ activities as they wish as well as maintaining their “outside” community interests.Where else can you find Lifestyle and Nursing care in the one place? A place where couples are able to stay in their own unit and receive nursing care if needed, allowing them to stay together in their latter years and still have social contact and the quality of life that they wish to enjoy?

My husband Max and myself moved to Sunrise Supported Living in Tuncurry 18 months ago. We cannot speak highly enough of the loving support and care we have experienced in that time.The accommodation is first class and the maintenance is always on hand to assist with anything we require.Meals are available three times a day and at the moment we are having a main meal 3 to 4 times a week. The food is varied with a choice of two mains and sweets and the portion size generous without being too much,.The staff led by Manager Sue are collectively so very caring and supportive. We are known to all staff members and always receive a smile and welcome when they are around. Help is always at hand at the press of a button and the security this gives is immeasurable.Activities are plentiful, ranging from Bus trips, to trivia, concerts, cards, rummikub, craft sessions, both standing and seated exercises, snooker for men, Tai Chi, special events and many more.We are very grateful to be in such a safe and secure environment for our older days.

I love working at Sunrise, my only regret is I didn't join the Sunrise Team years ago. The residents made me welcome from Day 1 and all the staff work as one big team.

Our family has complete peace of mind knowing our mum is looked after so well at Sunrise. We feel blessed to have secured a unit for mum with 24 hr care available, staff that have become part of our family and social outings on offer. The health of residents at Sunrise is a priority with quality of life at the top of their list. I feel so at home when I visit mum and the staff are so welcoming they have become good friends. Becoming part of the Sunrise community is joyous for the elderly making new friends and enjoying all social activities Sunrise has to offer. I would recommend anyone wishing to live in a secure self contained unit, supported living environment, knowing that 24 hrs assistance is on hand, to consider Sunrise Supported Living.

My sister and I moved our Mother into Sunrise two years ago after our father died. As my sister lives in Sydney and I am in Taree we decided to move Mum from Morisset to Tuncurry so that she was near one of us. We did our research and Sunrise was the best place that encouraged and supported their residents to live independently whilst being there if they were needed. Best of all for Mum was that she could take her cat with her which is her companion and confidant. The transition was a bit hard for an 89 year old but she soon settled in and made new friends. Now as she needs more care, the nurses are there to help. We work with them to adjust Mum's care plan as often as needed and it is never too much bother. We can visit whenever we like, and as Mum has a two bedroom unit, my sister can stay with her when she visits from Sydney. We both feel that the friendly and caring nursing staff have all of our best interests at heart and listen to our concerns and worries to ensure the best care for Mum

My grandma lives here and she's so happy. She's very well cared for, super comfortable in her villa and loves the food! :)

Sunrise Village has such a positive energy, you can tell the residents love being there, they are so engaging and welcoming whenever I visit. The staff are always friendly, available and very quick to help. You can be 100% sure that your loved ones will get the best care and support, plus they are pet friendly which is a must for me.

Without doubt the best place for Mum in Forster/Tuncurry. The staff are great, enough independence if she wants and the meals are fantastic.

I must say,that from the very beginning of our negotiations to buy into Sunrise Supported Living village and over the past 17months that my husband and I have lived here, it has proved to be the best move we have made. We are in a beautiful laid-out village in a beautiful coastal environment, with plenty to occupy us,both in the village and in the township of Tuncurry. Since selling our home and down-sizing to a manageable sized unit, there has been no more steps and stairs... no more tending the backyard pool... no more lawns to mow... just a small manageable garden of our own, and a great number of shared areas where we can meet with others of like interests. My house cleaning is done by arrangement ,and this is wonderful. The staff are always available and always willing to help in any way . It really is... ONE Big HAPPY FAMILY! Colleen James.

Right from our family's first meeting with the beautiful Bella (Consumer Service Manager) we were impressed with the level of care, personal knowledge and compassion showed by every member of staff at Sunrise. You have not failed anyone in my family. We couldn't have hoped for any better. Well done everyone!