Alternative options to retirement villages

Key points:

• There are many other alternative accommodation options that are similar to retirement villages
• If you require more care than what is available in a retirement village, you may find supported and assisted living complexes more beneficial for your health needs
• Many alternative retirement accommodation services provide the option to age in place

Moving into a retirement village is a common experience for older Australians who want to be surrounded by like-minded individuals and live in a safe and secure community.

Now, more and more alternatives to retirement villages are popping up around Australia, providing different experiences and lifestyle options to the diverse older population.

Below, AgedCareGuide.com.au has listed some of these options:

Rental villages

While most villages provide a select number of units for rent, rental villages work a little differently. Also known as gated communities, these rental villages have a number of single or studio units that have limited communal facilities and amenities.

These rental villages are more affordable for older Australians who aren’t able to pay for a home in a retirement village.

They provide a range of extra services and amenities you usually wouldn’t normally get in a traditional retirement village.

For instance, some rental villages have a community dining room available with a number of meals included a day. There may already be a bed and some furniture provided in your rental.

Rental villages are built with age friendly design in mind, minimising any trip hazards and making walkways, days and wet areas as accessible as possible.

Some villages will also provide assistance in organising any home care services you may require.

Retirees or pensioners tend to find rental villages beneficial if they want some form of supported housing option but still remain independent in how they live. Also, rental villages provide an opportunity to downsize.

Generally, residents pay 85 percent of their Age Pension income as rent or 100 percent of Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) if you’re eligible.

Manufactured Home Estates/ land lease communities

Manufactured Home Estates (MHEs) are relatively new to the country and are becoming a popular real estate option.

The best way to describe MHEs is as moveable, premade homes that are placed on leased land in a community; so you own your own home, but you lease the land the home stands on.

It is not uncommon for some of these estates to be located in caravan parks or holiday parks, as they provide permanent accommodation with a vacation lifestyle.

These homes can be both affordable or more expensive, depending on what you look for. Many new purpose-built estates are providing more communal areas like pools or bowling greens.

Learn more about MHEs in our article, ‘Manufactured Home Estates – an alternative to retirement villages?‘

Supported and assisted living complexes

Accommodation in a supported and assisted living complex can be the middle ground or “in-between” of a retirement village and a residential aged care facility.

These complexes are self-contained apartments or units in a community that allow you to remain independent with the assurance of access to care and support if you need it and when you need it.

Assisted living communities can be a good alternative to age in place compared to retirement villages, as the providers are already set up and prepared to provide that type of care.

Older people can be reassured that they will receive quality care from professional medical and care staff, and be reassured that if they develop complex care needs they can still stay in their apartment or unit.

Supported and assisted living complexes also tend to have amenities like retirement villages, so there are plenty of places and events to interact socially with the community.

Since supported and assisted living complexes aren’t Government funded, you will be required to pay for all the costs and fees yourself. These can include the cost of the property and the cost of care and services you receive.

An alternative and similar option to these complexes are Supported Residential Services (all of Australia) or Supported Residential Facilities (SRFs in South Australia only).

Community houses

If you prefer to live in close proximity to other people and only require limited services, such as meals, then a community house is ideal as it offers low cost bedsitter housing.

These are excellent accommodation options for older people who have a lower asset base.

These communities provide lifestyle village experiences with added care support if you need it.

Similar to serviced apartments and support living, this option is great for people who would prefer to be in retirement accommodation and don’t want to go straight into an aged care facility.

Care communities

These communities also provide lifestyle village experiences with added low level or high care support.

Similar to serviced apartments and support living, this option is great for people who would prefer to be in retirement accommodation and don’t want to go straight into an aged care facility.

When living in a care community, you can access additional supports as you age and if your needs increase, you don’t have to move to a different support setting, such as supported living or an aged care home.

You can continue living in your own place in the same community but benefit from additional care and support if your needs increase, including personal support, dementia care and palliative care.

What housing options are you considering for your retirement? Tell us in the comments below.

Related content:

Independent living in retirement communities
Downsizing and moving into a retirement village
Manufactured Home Estates – an alternative to retirement villages?