2020 and looking forward
Photo: Event MC Kay McGrath OAM and Ben Myers the Executive Director of the Retirement Living Council on stage at the 2020 National Retirement Living Awards
As 2020 comes to a close, the 2020 National Retirement Living Awards provided Ben Myers, Executive Director of the Retirement Living Council, and event MC Kay McGrath OAM a chance to offer some reflections on the retirement living industry.
Mr Myers was positive about the route that the sector has used to navigate 2020, saying that he greatly appreciated the opportunity the National Retirement Living Awards provides the industry to recognise excellence across the sector.
When asked about how he thought the year went Mr Myers said that the highlight for him in 2020 was how the “industry has come together” to work through COVID-19 cohesively.
“In our day-to-day life, members are competitors working hard to keep their businesses viable and operating well, but through COVID-19, people were able to put that competition aside and work through those challenges together,
“It was just so impressive to see people come together to share problems big and small, to go out of their way to help their colleagues to ultimately keep residents safe, and it really drove home to me how valuable the work that goes in at a village is.” said Mr Myers.
Understanding where the industry stands coming to the end of 2020 is important. The retirement living industry has demonstrated its ability to work effectively in the face of uncertainty and staunch challenges.
“Since we’ve had bushfires, COVID-19, unprecedented economic times, the industry has really pulled together and worked through these issues together in collaboration with residents.
“So much has been learnt and experiences had that will ultimately ensure, certainly for the broader community, the value of retirement living, the reason why people have moved into retirement communities is now clearer than it ever was in the past.”
When looking to the year ahead, 2021 is going to be an important year for the retirement living industry. There have been so many lessons learned from 2020, and Mr Myers was quick to point out that this offers a unique opportunity.
“I think beyond that will have a big job to do as the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety hands down its report which will open new challenges and opportunities to retirement living.
“I also think that we will have a big job to do on the back of COVID-19, to make sure that governments really understand the important role that this industry plays in looking after our ageing community, providing housing for our older people and ensuring that we’re not only taking pressure off the health system but that we’re creating meaningful homes and lives for people right across the country.”
Navigating through these uncertain times will require a leading voice. There are significant legislative reviews occurring across several states, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety will provide yet unknown challenges and opportunities and with the ever-present spectre of COVID-19, the Retirement Living Council will continue to provide this clear voice and powerful advocacy work for this important industry.