Over 100 leading retirement village operators and industry leaders recently gathered at the Property Council Retirement Living Conference to discuss the necessary adaptation of villages to the varying needs of baby boomers - a concept that is steadily growing interest and demand nationwide.

Keynote speaker Jeff McGarn spoke at the conference, emphasizing the importance of not only marketing retirement living as a place to live, but also a community that remains connected to family and friends that offers an environment with a choice of lifestyle opportunities.

Most importantly of all, McGarn stressed the incorporation of developed technology.

“Operators must be willing to embrace the latest technologies in the marketing on villages, as the next generation of seniors are more technologically savvy than ever before,” he said.

Connecting people was a key theme at the conference, closely followed by that of security. As most village residents are female, it became apparent that a priority for residents is that they not only feel secure in terms of gates and alarms, but also secure in their decision and secure within their sense of community and place.

The thought behind creating well-connected, secure village communities was explored by TPG and Placematch’s Lisa Montgomery and Carla Chatzopolous.

“Retirement is now considered a person’s second bounce. It’s a time when the kids have left home and seniors can embrace a new and diverse lifestyle,” Ms Montgomery said.

“There is no doubt that people are looking for places that offer a point of difference, that are both functionally and socially in line with the local surroundings. There is a great focus on catering to a wide range of ages. Intergenerational living, is the biggest trend we are seeing, and as place makers we must accommodate that,” she concluded.