National Seniors Australia are calling on the Federal Government to examine ways of enhancing its downsizing scheme for senior Australians which is due to begin on 1 July this year – including encouraging more people to move into retirement villages.

With 24 per cent of seniors confirming they had a desire to move into smaller, more age-appropriate housing such as within a retirement village, it shows there is strong demand for purpose-built seniors housing in this country according to Ben Myers, Executive Director – Retirement Living at the Property Council of Australia.

Mr Myers added that their research shows that seniors who “rightsize” to more appropriate housing, like the 200,000 people living in retirement villages today, have extended independence through improved health and support, and better social and mental wellbeing.

Whilst the current downsizing scheme will remove some of the financial barriers that discourage older Australians to move into homes that better suit their needs, National Seniors Australia believe more can be done to remove some of the financial disincentives for pensioners to downsize with the Government’s investment being returned through reduced pressure on the aged care system.