RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES OFFER HEALTH BENEFITS
Living in a retirement village or resort promotes better health and greater independence.
That’s the finding from research conducted by consulting company Grant Thornton in 2014, which calculated that retirement village residents visit their GP less often and spend fewer days in hospital than their peers in the general community.
They also enter aged care up to five years later on average — at 84 as opposed to the national average of 79.
Along with age-appropriate design, retirement communities support better health by facilitating an active lifestyle. On-site facilities like swimming pools, gyms and bowling greens make exercising easy and convenient.
Organised activities such as tai chi, yoga and excursions also help to promote fitness and wellbeing.
“What we can see from the research is that retirement villages can extend the independence and quality of life of their residents,” says Ken Morrison, Chief Executive of the Property Council of Australia.
The Australian Productivity Commission echoes that view saying retirement villages, “can have a positive effect on the health and quality of life of older Australians”.
To find out how you can enjoy a healthier and happier retirement visit the Castle Hill Retirement Village Expo, July 28-29, at Castle Hill RSL.
