Family donates $1.7 million to transform dementia care at aged care facility

A local family has gifted an "unprecedented" private donation of $1.7 million to enhance the lives of residents living with dementia at an aged care facility in western Victoria.

Eventide Homes in Stawell received the donation from members of the Mangle family from Halls Gap, who had previously contributed $50,000.

Eventide Homes CEO Gary Simpson said the larger donation was made unexpectedly a year ago and revealed publicly last month.

"It was just a wonderful surprise when at the end of a lunch [a member of the family] reached into his pocket and pulled out a cheque," Mr Simpson said.

Mr Simpson said the reason behind the gift was unknown as the family did not have a member being cared for at the home.

He confirmed the entire sum would be dedicated to improving the dementia care wing at the aged care facility.

"The Mangle family has requested we spend the $1.7 million on bricks and mortar type projects for dementia … not a single dollar will go towards overheads or into general revenue," he said.

Mr Simpson said the goal was to modernise the dementia wing and create a facility that would set a new benchmark in aged care.

"The generosity of the Mangle family will allow us to deliver an absolute state-of-the art dementia facility that we think a lot of other aged care providers will be envious of."

A national dementia design expert visited Eventide in August to advise on infrastructure improvements.

The redevelopment is expected to include fit-for-purpose living spaces tailored to the needs of residents with dementia.

Northern Grampians Shire Mayor Karen Hyslop said the donation would have a lasting impact.

"The generosity of the Mangle family will create a lasting positive impact that will be passed on to future generations; it will benefit our community for many years to come," Cr Hyslop said.

According to Dementia Australia, an estimated 293 people are living with dementia in the Northern Grampians Shire.

Eventide currently cares for 15 residents with dementia, but Mr Simpson said that number was expected to grow.

Dementia is now the leading cause of death in Australia, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

More than 425,000 Australians were estimated to be living with dementia in 2024, with projections suggesting that figure could exceed 1 million by 2065.

Representatives from the Mangle family declined to comment on the donation.

Written by: Peter Quattrocelli, ABC News.