Industry offers clarity on retirement living options

The Property Council has released a Seniors Accommodation Guide which clearly defines the different types of housing options provided for seniors well as the key legislation that governs retirement village living, land lease communities and residential aged care facilities.

“There has always been confusion about what is a retirement village and how does that differ to a residential aged care facility,” Property Council WA Executive Director Lino Iacomella said.

“This can be even more confusing given that many retirement villages are now offering on site aged care accommodation and services to meet the needs of residents as they age.”

The guide has been prepared with state and local government policy makers in mind.

“Not everyone wants to live in a retirement community but they are a vital part of the housing mix within existing and new suburbs that needs to be planned for now,

“The guide provides a useful tool that can be used by local government planners when planning for a range of seniors housing options in their local communities as well as when assessing development applications,” Mr. Iacomella said.

This Seniors Accommodation Guide will also assist seniors to make an informed decision as to what type of residential accommodation suits their budget and lifestyle or medical needs. 

“This guide outlines the different types of contractual arrangements available when purchasing a retirement village unit; or leasing a lifestyle village; or renting accommodation as well as the different types of residential aged care facilities.

“The guide also sets out the relevant legislation that governs the different accommodation types available so that seniors are able to make well-informed choices and can better understanding what they can expect and the legalities of the contracts they will enter into.

The guide is available at:

http://www.retirementliving.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Seniors-Accommodation-Guide-2017.pdf