Lutheran provides community care to about 200 people in the region.

Mrs Rocks expects that figure will double within about five years.

“That’s simply because there will be much more demand for those services,” she said.

“More people want to stay in their homes as they age these days.

“That’s what the government policy is also pointing to.”

Aside from in-home care, dementia services are also likely to expand significantly.

“We’ll see more people living with dementia as the population ages,” Mrs Rocks said.

“We’re looking at intensifying dementia options in residential care and specialist palliative care.

“There’s going to be a big increase.”

Lutheran will open a new office building in West Albury as part of that expansion at the end of the month.

Community Services manager Mary Fraser said the building would separate office staff from residents at the facility.

“We’ve shared the facility with residents,” she said.

“Now we’ve got our own office and the residents have got their building back.

“It will give easy access to clients.”

Mrs Fraser said baby boomers were increasingly requiring aged services.

“There’s going to be a huge number of people who will be retired and need care,” Mrs Fraser said.

“We need to cater for that need.”

Staff will move into the new office on July 28.

The organisation yesterday congratulated Vickie Plunkett for her 20 years of service to Lutheran.