Care where you're heading

Just under a third of all retirement villages in Australia now have aged care co-located on site, or in close proximity, according to the latest PwC/Property Council Retirement Living Census.

South Australian aged care and retirement living provider Resthaven has six retirement villages, all co-located on site with a residential aged care home. This offers the opportunity of moving into residential care should declining health require additional care and services over time.

For Resthaven Bellevue Heights residents Norm and Jan Watt, thinking about the future and their health was an important factor when it came to choosing a village. They have no regrets since moving into their two-bedroom unit.

"We knew we had to think about what will happen in our older years. We needed to feel secure and independent and didn't want to have to be dependent on our families," said Jan.

"We know if we have a problem, we only have to speak up and it's taken care of."

Norm said there's plenty going on. "We don't have to travel for things to do. If we feel like being private, we can be; if we feel like getting out, we can."

Resthaven chief executive Darren Birbeck said living in a retirement community gives residents peace of mind.

"Having neighbours with similar interests and activities builds a feeling of safety and security, while maintaining independence," he said. "This has been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, as people see the benefit of living in a community environment where they are not socially isolated and alone.

He said an important aspect to consider is the availability of additional in-home support in a retirement unit or apartment.

"Even if it is not needed, just knowing that support is available can be very beneficial when considering downsizing to a smaller, more manageable home with no maintenance or gardening to worry about."

'Resthaven offers both private and government subsidised in-home support services, including levels 1-4 home care packages, and respite options for people who care for an older person, all helping to maintain independence and social connections."

He said choosing where to live in retirement is best considered when there is no urgency, while you are physically able, and have plenty of time to do your research.

South Australian not-for-profit aged care provider Eldercare has a range of retirement living units and villas in villages throughout the Greater Adelaide and Yorke Peninsula regions - many of which are located near Eldercare's own residential care facilities.

While residents are supported to remain living independently in their home for longer with a wide range of in-home services including meal preparation, personal care and assistance with running errands, being near aged care services also provides retirees the opportunity to visit loved ones who may be in care, or access activities, meals and hairdressing services for themselves.

And should residents' health care requirements change, staff are on-hand to help them transition from retirement living to residential aged care.