Help on Retirement Living
Congratulations! If you or a family member or friend are considering a move to a Retirement Village you could become one of the 20,000 + (in SA alone) happy residents. And you're doing the right thing by doing your research.
There are many reasons why people consider making the move to a retirement community and indeed there are many types of retirement communities.
What is and isn't a Retirement Village?
Villages can be individual, grouped dwellings such as single level units or a number of residences in a multi level complex, such as apartments. Retirement Villages are regulated by the (South Australian) Retirement Villages Act 1987 and the Retirement Villages Regulations 2006. The Act defines that the residences are established for predominantly retired people - that is people over 55 years of age and not working full time. Villages can be owned and operated by not-for-profit organisations or private owners and the villages do not receive government funding. Some villages offer services such as housekeeping, meals and assistance with day to day living activities and also operate under the Supported Residential Facilities Act 1992.
What is and isn't a retirement village?
What's good to look for in a Retirement Village?
What other things should you consider?
Where else can you get help and information?
What's the process for purchasing an Omega FamilyCare Apartment?
Retirement Villages are not aged care facilities, nursing homes or hostels. These facilities operate under the Aged Care Act 1997 and provide various levels of support and services. They receive government funding and an aged care assessment is required to enter one of these facilities.
What's good to look for in a Retirement Village?
- Owned and operated by a credible and reputable organisation
- Financially sound, with a good history of happy residents
- Conveniently located to what's important to you
- High standards of safety and security
- A community of like-minded people where you can fit right in
- Encouragement to chat with other residents as part of the process of making your decision
- Well maintained gardens, community facilities and buildings
- An active Resident's Committee
- Appropriate Accreditation
What other things should you consider?
- Does the village have an emergency help system in each unit or apartment? If so who responds to your call? Are they on-site 24/7? What are the penalties for a false alarm?
- Is there assistance available to you if get sick, return home from a hospital stay or find that day to day activities are getting too much for you? If so, who provides this assistance? Is it brought in from outside the village or provided by the staff of the village?
- What community facilities are there for you to use? Are these important to you? Remember some things are expensive to run and maintain and all residents have to pay for their upkeep even if they never use them.
- Are pets allowed? Under what conditions?
- Is there good access to the village for emergency services and visitors?
- Is the residence, and other general areas able to accommodate you if your needs change, such as requiring the use of a walking aid or shower chair?
- Does the residence and community areas have adequate heating and cooling?
- Are there regular social activities and plenty of things for you to get involved in if you choose?
- What do you pay for and what is included in your service or maintenance fees? Villages vary on what's included in their regular fees so it's important that you can 'compare apples with apples'.
- Some villages are sold by agents, others by the staff of the village. Either way, ensure they have your best interests at heart rather than their income interests.
- Be sure that you understand the documents and the financials related to your retirement village purchase and seek advice where needed.
Where else can you get help and information?
Seniors Information Service
Phone: 8168 8776
Website: www.seniors.asn.au
Email: information@seniors.asn.au
Office for The Ageing
Phone: 8207 0522
Website: www.ageing.sa.gov.au
Email: ofta@dfc.sa.gov.au
Council on the Ageing (COTA)
Phone: 8232 0422
Website: www.seniorsvoice.org.au
Email: seniorsvoice@seniorsvoice.org.au
SARVRA (South Australian Retirement Villages Residents Association)
Phone: 8232 0422 (COTA switchboard)
Website: www.seniors.asn.au/SARVRA
Retirement Villages Association (RVA)
Phone: 8338 4500 (SA office)
Website: www.rva.com.au
Email: Sandra@rva.com.au (SA office)
Federal Government Seniors Information
Phone: 1800 500 853 (Aged and Community Care Info Line)
Website: www.seniors.gov.au
Email: admin@seniors.gov.au
What's the process for purchasing an Omega FamilyCare Apartment?
We are about matching people to apartments and communities and adding significant value to their lives, so it's possible that we may not sell you an Omega apartment, even if you want us to! We want you to be happy with your decision and will take your interests and needs into consideration when we show you our apartments and communities. We do not have waiting lists or seek payment for maintaining our relationship with you and keeping you informed on our properties.
Your consultant will meet with you and your family as many times as is necessary for you to be comfortable with your decision, and for us to be sure of ours. Once you have decided on your preferred apartment, an application for registration of interest is completed and a deposit of $5,000 is paid. Omega will then consider your application and advise you of the outcome (your deposit is fully refunded if your application is unsuccessful).
For some apartments, an application for registration of interest can include the need to sell your current home or other conditions and still be considered favourably.
Once your registration has been accepted, our staff will work with you towards the settlement of your apartment. This includes guidance on selling your property (if required), finding a removalist and interior design assistance with curtains and furniture placement if required.
On moving in, our on-site Resident Services Manager will help you with settling in to your new home and community. Our caretaker can assist you with getting things in your apartment 'just right' such as hanging pictures and securing your clothes dryer in your laundry. Existing residents will welcome you and introduce you to other residents and new friendships will flourish.
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