BaptistCare opens its newest aged care home, as BaptistCare Glendale Lodge is officially opened

It wasn't just the cake and delicious morning tea that had a crowd of people gathering in the chapel of BaptistCare Glendale Lodge in Elderslie, NSW. 

Earlier in the year the brand new aged care home started welcoming residents, and since then every week the corridors have sung with the sounds and feels of a rich, vibrant and exciting community. 

Today, the home was officially opened with Charles Moore, CEO of BaptistCare, joined by Sally Quinnell MP, Member for Camden, Mayor Therese Fedeli and BaptistCare residents, families and staff to celebrate. 

BaptistCare Glendale Lodge aged care home is the final piece of a thriving intergenerational community in Elderslie that includes BaptistCare Angus Bristow Retirement Village, BaptistCare Narralling housing community and BaptistCare At Home services.

The state-of-the-art home showcases innovative 'home-style' design with 96 beds organised into cosy households of just 16 residents. Each household features shared dining and leisure areas connecting to private bedrooms with ensuites, creating an intimate environment where meaningful relationships can flourish in a space that feels like a family home.

Speaking at the event, BaptistCare CEO Charles More said that since the very beginning, when Glendale Lodge was in its earliest planning stages, the aim was to create a caring community for people to live and age well.

"This site in Elderslie, adjacent to our BaptistCare Angus Bristow Retirement Village and BaptistCare Narralling housing community, completes our vision of a genuine multi-generational community where people at every stage of life can thrive together," he said.

"Glendale Lodge represents the future of aged care in Australia: person-centred, community-connected, and genuinely homelike. It’s a future I’m excited for."

BaptistCare Glendale Lodge started welcoming residents in August 2026, and it has already led to some deep connections. May and Tom, married for 58 years, moved into Glendale Lodge to be reunited after Tom's hospitalisation.

"All I wanted was to be with May. She was able to visit me in the hospital, but it's not the same as being with each other each day or watching the football together and holding her hand," Tom said.

"I came and looked around and thought everything was wonderful," May said. "The people are great, and we have made this lovely community where we can go on walks together and get to know each other."

Fellow resident Betty said she was excited for more people to arrive. "I was one of the first clients in the salon here getting my hair and nails done. They really pampered me. This is just a beautiful home and everyone is so lovely."

The $60 million home features a café with indoor and outdoor seating, hair salon, chapel, health clinic and landscaped gardens with views of the Blue Mountains.