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Lockdowns, border closures and health concerns as a result of COVID-19 have isolated many people from their friends and family, just when they need them most.
At Lendlease retirement Villages around Australia, the focus is on community, reducing loneliness and increasing connection across generations. A culture of care approach is taken to support more than 17,000 residents across 72 retirement villages around the country.
Residents and staff look out for each other, build relationships and foster active social lives within the community.
While COVID-19 has placed restrictions on daily life, new measures have been embraced to keep residents feeling supported and connected with each other, friends, family and staff.
The new 'Lendlease Together' app allows residents to keep up to date with the latest village news, interesting stories and access an easy way to stay in touch with loved ones through its video calling feature.
Residents can also opt-in to join the 'Two Teas and a Chat' activity that sees them paired with volunteer Lendlease employees who call them on the phone. Right across the country, the positive impact of a friendly chat has been felt, not just among the residents, but also the staff. It's a simple, but powerful activity that's connecting people who may or may not have interacted before - and some fascinating stories have been shared.
There's also the Village TV, the monthly national newsletters and a whole number of new physically distanced activities such as street yoga, walking pairs, resident welfare groups, window displays and zoom drop-ins. There's even been a drive-by Elvis performance!
Having a strong network of people around is not only good for socialising and support, but research has found that having a strong network is also key to boosting longevity. An Australian study conducted by the Centre for Ageing Studies at Flinders University, followed nearly 1,500 older people for 10 years and found that those with a large group of friends lived 22% longer than those with little or no social contact.
At Lendlease Retirement Villages around Australia, supportive friendships are being forged and cemented minute by minute.
Margaret Priestly, a resident at Goodwin Close Retirement Village is really happy with her decision to move as she is now not only closer to her daughter and son who live in the local area, but is also really grateful for all the care and support she receives at the village - which has been even more important throughout a global pandemic. "I really feel for people who have had to go through these uncertain times living on their own and am so grateful that I'm in a village surrounded by staff and residents who genuinely care about me", Margaret says.
There's no denying that COVID-19 has created challenges for everyone, but with the support of our communities, we will get by - with a little help from our friends.
For further information about Lendlease Retirement Villages, please connect with the Customer Support Team on 1800 550 550 or visit https://www.retirementbylendlease.com.au/victoria/ .
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