Providing residents with home care is not a new idea in the retirement living space, but it is certainly a key area of growth for operators.
Even between the data reported in the 2020 Census to the data reported in the 2021 Census, the results are remarkable.
On a high level we can see that 45 per cent of operators are providing home care in their villages in 2021. In 2020, that was 40 per cent.
This uptake is in response to resident demand that will only increase with time. The Retirement Living Council are conscious that this rapid change has been directly impacted by the outcome of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
As the outcomes of the Royal Commission continue to unfurl, we are aware that there needs to be a consistent and steady advocacy agenda to manage any changes that are considered by government are flexible enough to support the retirement village model.
We want to ensure that age-friendly communities such as retirement villages can remain an affordable option.
Beverly Smith, the Executive General Manager of Residential Communities, Australian Unity was able to give us some insights into what is driving this key area of growth.
“As Baby Boomers begin to require age-friendly accommodation, they are already redefining the service and accommodation products available to them.
“Increasingly, the sector is responding to diversify their products of ‘housing with care’ which supports residents to age in the right place.”
This reflects what we’re hearing from operators’ industry wide. Consumers are looking for the best of both – combining the benefits of retirement living (right-sizing, equity release, living in a secure community, age-friendly built form, flexibility on size and layouts) supplemented with home care which increases as they need it.
Forecasting on how this may grow in Australia is difficult, however, with more players on the Australian scene integrating a continuum of retirement, home care and aged care into their various models, it is likely to continue growing.