The St John of Kronstadt Russian Welfare Society Inc was established in 1955 to care for the needs of the Aged and Infirm within the Russian Community. Over the past 55 years “Kronstadt Gardens” an aged care residential complex consisting of a Nursing Home and Accommodation for the Aged was built in Dandenong. The Complex now accommodates 30 High Care (Nursing Home) residents, 43 residents in Low Residential Care (Hostel) 2 Respite rooms, an 11 place Dementia specific unit and 7 Independent Living Units.
Kronstadt Gardens is mindful of its responsibilities to the Russian and associated Slavic communities by providing for its residents an atmosphere that reflects the Slavic ethnic ethos. A Russian Orthodox Chapel caters for the spiritual needs of Orthodox residents. In the case of non-Orthodox residents, appropriate clergy are invited to visit. Residents are able to freely communicate in Russian with the staff, thus ensuring that their needs are understood and met by both nursing and domestic staff. Our staff speaks 17 languages and is able to freely communicate with all residents whatever their nationality.
All employees of the Russian Welfare Society are educated in the need to be culturally sensitive to the needs of our residents and clients. Religious, social, dietary and lifestyle needs are a focus of attention to ensure an integrated Best Practice approach to the needs of our community.
The staff at Kronstadt Gardens are required to ensure that they regurarly update their knowlege and skills in the provision of aged care. Opportunities are provided to them to participate in professional development both onsite and specialised centres.
Public information and seminar sessions are held regularly to ensure that the Russian community is informed on a range of important subjects; including drug and alcohol abuse, anger management, gambling, health issues, the ageing process and current affairs.
We provide Russian cuisine for our residents which helps many residents successfully adjust to their new home. However, other national dishes are available. The Russian Welfare Society has three buses so that residents may go on excursions, shopping trips or to other functions. The Russian Senior Citizens' Club meets fortnightly within the Complex and our residents enjoy the interaction with other elderly people with whom they find they have much in common. The Russian Women's Health Group also meets fortnightly in our Community Support Centre.
Russian language concerts, movies, a library and special guest performers, as well as direct Russian television via satellite from Moscow is available to ensure that our residents have the opportunity to exercise their minds. Our Activities staff is also able to provide meaningful cultural interaction for our Serbian, Croatian, Macedonian and Polish residents.
Kronstadt Gardens provides the Russian speaking community, and other Slavic communities, with modern facilities within a caring, secure environment. A place where excellent nursing, convalescent and palliative care is assured for all residents by our professional staff.
