The change making a big difference at Loreto

At Loreto Home of Compassion, one of the most significant improvements in recent years is not something highly visible from the outside but the quiet transformation of everyday life inside residents’ rooms, with the completion of new private ensuites.

Completed late last year, the staged redevelopment replaced shared bathroom spaces with individual ensuites, giving residents more privacy, greater comfort and a stronger sense of independence in their daily routines.

For Facility Manager Michelle Kosorok, the upgrades were always about far more than infrastructure.

“Resident satisfaction and improved quality of life were major drivers for the ensuite upgrades,” Michelle says. “One of the most important priorities was to enhance our residents’ satisfaction and experience living at Loreto. We wanted to ensure their privacy and dignity.”

Private bathrooms now allow residents to manage personal care in a more natural, home-like way, without waiting for shared access or feeling rushed.

“Ensuite bathrooms are now considered a basic standard rather than a luxury and private amenities make it feel more comfortable and more like a home setting,” Michelle says.

For resident Robin Millington, the difference is simple but important.

“It’s really good because you can strip off and do what you want to do without worrying about somebody else walking in,” Robin says.

“Shared bathrooms mean that if someone else wants it, you’ve got to hurry to get out. So, this gives you more time.”

Robin says having the private bathroom in her room makes daily life easier, noting there is plenty of room for staff to support when needed.

For her daughter Wendy Younger, who has seen both the old, shared arrangement and the new setup, the impact is immediately obvious.

“It’s wonderful,” Wendy says. “It gives the residents privacy. Mum was always disturbed when the other person was in there, so it’s really good for her comfort.”

Michelle says those kinds of comments matter deeply.

“As the Facility Manager, I am pleased that our residents are happy,” she says. “When residents say they enjoy the new ensuites, it provides important feedback in terms of quality, dignity and compliance insights. It’s more than a casual comment — it’s evidence that our residents’ experience is positive and their quality of life has improved.”

The renovations were delivered in stages to minimise disruption, with residents relocated section by section while work was carried out.

The result is a practical upgrade that quietly supports the things that matter most: dignity, privacy, safety and a stronger sense of home.