Where do older Australians want to live? To make their home?
The Global Centre of Modern Ageing (GCMA), a grand name for the research unit at Flinders University in Adelaide, has researched 1000+ people over the age of 55, asking what they want in a home. The answer:
“A place where I am comfortable, safe and stress free. A place where I continue to age independently and to grow culturally and in experience. A place where I want to be.”
Sound familiar?
The research confirmed what we already know:
- We desire to stay at home even if circumstances change or needs increase with age
- We don’t plan for our physical ‘enablement’ to remain at home
- Cost and location were extremely important in the decision to move
- The balance between affordability and needs is a key challenge
And went on to say they had developed a framework known as the House, Home, Haven framework.
This model recognises we require a personalised approach to our individual solutions and we require a solution to have a humancentric approach.
The house provides safety and comfort and for some, is also a financial asset.
Bringing freedom, choice, independence, emotional safety, familiarity and individuality.
A sanctuary entwined with self and complete belonging. A seemingly irreplaceable ‘sense of place’.
It identifies seven distinct needs of older Australians:
Do you find yourself like me shouting “that’s us, pick me, choose a Retirement Village”. It’s obvious isn’t it?
BUT….
25% of the people surveyed felt there was a lack of viable alternatives to living at home.
What the…. no viable alternatives are you kidding?!
Don’t Retirement Communities provide all of this?
Clearly we in the sector know this but why doesn’t the wider community?
GCMA went on to say the opportunities for businesses lay in:
1. offering a personalised service and offering
2. being able to offer genuine and honest support
(This what we do as professional Village Managers and genuine people).
3. being able to really communicate the value of the housing option
This requires work by operators – and ourselves.