A new groundbreaking project earmarked for Paphos will see a four star hotel turned into an assisted living venture.
The Laura Beach hotel in Paphos will close in November and undergo a number of essential changes to turn the site into a residence tailor-made to meet the requirements of the older generation.
The project is being undertaken by Estia Living an Anglo-Cypriot group with over 30 years experience in hospitality and healthcare.
Sales and marketing director Duncan Wills told the Cyprus Mail, “this is a big project and the idea was formed after it was identified that there is a lack of continuing care and age care facilities in Cyprus.”
The Laura Beach Residence in Paphos will be the first Estia Living Community. The company identified the 307-roomed four star hotel as the perfect site for the venture and an ideal property to be refitted.
Paphos has the largest British expat community on the island and in the last two decades some of them who chose the town as a place to retire too are getting to the age when they need help.
“As people get older they often need more help or companionship and I know of people that have returned to the UK, only to find that time has moved on and things have changed,” Wills said. “They move back to Cyprus, but until now there haven’t really been any facilities available.”
According to Wills the facilities will cater for both English and Greek speakers and many of the staff will be employed locally.
”We want to create something on a grand scale which is unique in Europe; there are also plans to create a project of 300 units with a clinic in Kato Paphos,” he said.
“People need different degrees of help as they get older as not everyone ages in the same way. Some residents may need practical help such as reaching down to put their socks on or aid with toileting and some people may just be lonely.’
There will also be traditional nursing care provided, as well as memory care and palliative care.
Estia living will open the refurbished hotel in May 2012 after it has been carefully designed with the seniors in mind. The changes include lighting and colour schemes.
“There will also be special shelves dotted around to aid people in getting about. They will be able to rest on these; we won’t have the usual rails which are clinical and institutionalised,” Wills said.
Wills said that many factors need to be taken into account to provide a vibrant and stimulating environment.
“As well as the surroundings, food, activities and rehab services will all help to ensure residents live long and happy lives.”
In addition, all rooms will have an emergency response system and trained staff will be available 24 hours a day. Meals will be served by a waiter and tea, coffee and snacks will be available throughout the day.
On a daily basis there will be numerous classes and activities on offer as well as excursions and residents clubs.
Costs for living in the complex have not yet been decided.
