A recent publication by Aged Care Services Australia Group has shown what it considers to be two key lifestyle trends tipped to shake up the retirement sector over the next decade.
Hot on the top of the list is an increasing favorability amongst seniors towards quality lifestyle amenities and improved technology built to serve – both including everything from in-house chefs and high-speed data technology to fully-equipped gyms, all accessible within the comfort of their retirement village of choice.
“With the Baby Boomer generation typically asset-rich thanks to the value of their residential property and superannuation funds, they’ll both expect and be able to fund a standard of living not dissimilar to their younger, independent years,” the Aged Care Services Australia Group report stated.
“This can be seen in everything from the increasingly architect-designed nature of aged-care facilities, which feature ample natural light and polished surfaces, to concierge services and in-house chefs preparing gourmet meals on a daily basis.”
The trend is already being reflected in new developments across Australia, with one such example being those of leading village provider Aveo Group.
Newer Aveo retirement communities are going vertical. At one of the developer’s newest projects, Aveo Newstead, cafes, bars and restaurants are all within walking distance, and residents will be able to relax at the rooftop lounge, overlooking the iconic Gasworks precinct and boastful city views when it opens mid-2018.
Testimony to the excitement of the project is soon-to-be Aveo Newstead resident Moya McGirr, who admitted she initially wasn’t in favour of retirement village living.
However, she highlights that she was overwhelmingly drawn to the location of the 19-storey retirement community because of the local amenities, the care available to her as she aged in place, and the sense that other like-minded and active people would be her neighbours.
“You have got to have fun, lots of it. And lots of bubbles!” she said.
RPS Brisbane planning Principal Simon Pollock said a greater range of housing options for seniors was, and needed to be, pursued, with retirees healthier and living longer.
“There is a push towards providing options within the customers’ community, rather than the previous model which saw many older people moved in to facilities until their lives ended.”
Even the descriptive names have changed, with many aged-care facilities and retirement villages now called, for example, over-50s lifestyle resorts. Pets are playing a bigger part in the pitch of developers, as are the inclusion of technology and resort-style facilities.
“I would say, given the advances in technology, that will be the biggest player in terms of offerings over the next decade,” he said.
“People will be able to visit the doctor via a tablet, or have your vitals monitored remotely and sent directly, in real time, to a medical professional. There will likely be digital health hubs and a whole host of wearables (such as the Apple watch).”
