Retirement villages are usually seen as quite separate entities than aged care – and often they are. Retirement villages cater for older people who are still able to live independently in their own home; whereas aged care facilities cater for older people who can no longer live independently, and who need help with one or more aspects of day-to-day living or managing a health condition.
Both options cater for different populations; however, it’s becoming more and more common to see retirement villages combined with aged care facilities in a trend that’s focused on giving residents the best of both worlds. Sometimes both facilities reside on the one property; or sometimes they are located in close proximity to each other. Here are the benefits of living in a retirement village that’s combined with or close to a partner aged care facility – and why you should consider it.
Staying in the same neighbourhood or community
Care needs change as you get older, and older people who were once capable of living on their own often reach the point where they aren’t. When this time comes, it can be very comforting to be able to move into aged care within the same facility, or into a very nearby facility. This allows older people to continue to live in a somewhat familiar environment, in the same neighbourhood, and in close proximity with people they know and trust. The joy of familiarity as you age can’t be overstated, so it’s a huge thing to be able to age in the one place, and not have to move to a completely different area or facility.
Proximity of services
Similarly, as care needs change for retirement village residents, there are a number of services that they can access to help them remain in their own home for longer. Home Care (where older people receive a package of care services specifically tailored to their assessed needs in their own home) and Respite Care (where older people can take a break from caring for themselves in an aged care setting) are two types of care that older people can access. And it’s much easier to do so if those care providers are in close proximity to the retirement community. Many aged care facilities offer Home Care and Respite Care services as well, so it’s extremely handy to have them on site or nearby.
Keeping couples close
Often, married couples or partners have very different care needs. This may mean that one partner requires the higher level of care provided by an aged care facility, while the other may not be eligible for aged care. Combining facilities means that couples can stay in much closer proximity to each other, and be there to support each other throughout the rest of their lives.
Socialising and friendships
Remaining in or near to the same facility means you can much more easily stay in contact with the friends you’ve made inside your community. Being social is a hugely important part of staying healthy, especially as you age. Loneliness can have a wide variety of negative health impacts for older people, and it’s important to continue to interact with other people and the community. If retirement and aged care facilities are on site or near to each other, most retirement facility residents will move across into aged care when the time comes, allowing continuity of friendships and contact. And when you consider the difficulty many people experience making new friends as they age, this is a huge plus for having facilities located close to each other.
Security and peace of mind
And finally, there’s a great deal of peace of mind that comes when you know that a big move is not on the cards later in life. Retirement village residents can relax, knowing that the future is taken care of should their care needs escalate to a higher level, and knowing that they’ll be on familiar territory when they do. And it’s hard to put a price on that type of peace of mind – but it’s worth a great deal to the many people looking for security and comfort when it comes to their golden years.
So, the many benefits of nearby aged care and retirement facilities are clear – all that remains is to discover them for yourself. Have a look at the Alumuna Over 55 Living Community https://www.alumuna.net.au/ and the Finley Regional Care Aged Care facility https://www.finleyregionalcare.com.au/. Located in close proximity and run by the same company, these two high quality and caring facilities allow you to age in place comfortably and securely, while prioritising your current needs.