The village operator is now offering potential residents the chance to experience life in a retirement village before moving in.

RetireAustralia’s General Manager for Care, Brigid London, said the scheme give people the opportunity to stay in a serviced apartment and enjoy all the benefits of village life for 28 days.

“During this time, domestic care, including meals, cleaning and linen laundry is taken care of, and residents have full access to the village’s facilities and activities,” she said.

If you need extra support, you can also access flexible care services including help with showering and dressing, medication management and getting in and out of bed.

Resident Dorothy Board has lived at the Riverina Gums Retirement Village for five months after trying village life under RetireAustralia’s pilot ‘Try Before You Buy’ program.

“I get my washing done and bed made, and the meals are good – I like the fish and chips on Fridays especially,” she said.

“The staff are friendly and attentive, and all the people are very nice.”

Fellow resident Doris Hill made a similar move, and has now been at the village for 18 months.

“I tried the program, and by the time I had moved into my apartment, I had met people and settled in,” Doris said.

The program is currently available in 11 of its 27 villages across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia.