Differences between retirement living and supported ...

Key points:

Retirement living offers independence and a flexible lifestyle in a secure setting
Additional care and support services are available through supported living
It is important to choose a living style that suits your changing needs as you age

If you are looking to take the next step in your life and embrace retirement, moving into a new home could be a big part of the journey. But do you require additional support at home that might not be completely present in retirement living?

The decision to change your living arrangements as you get older is never easy as everyone has a close attachment to their home and the memories it holds.

But there may be a point in time when you find yourself in need of additional security, support, easy access to care services, or an updated lifestyle.

Retirement villages are one option that provides a true sense of community for like-minded individuals at a similar stage of life.

Whereas supported living, or assisted living, is another option that allows you to live independently if you choose, but you can access support services at the touch of a button.

Both styles of living have their similarities and differences, and we have outlined the main ones below to help you understand which suits you better.

An overview of retirement living

Retirement living does differ from supported living in one clear way – the availability of personal care and support services in your home.

Generally, retirement villages don’t provide assistance at home as they are designed for independent living for the over-55 community.

In some cases, the village you choose may have an aged care or home care part of the business that can assist you with the care and support you need – but it is not a regular part of a retirement village offering.

You can accept assistance within your retirement village home from other providers of home care and support.

These communities are often designed as semi-enclosed villages, but can also include multi-level complexes, units and apartments. The dwelling you purchase or rent is paid for in full by yourself and is not Government funded or subsidised.

Payment will need to be made for provider management and maintenance costs. You can learn more about renting and buying in our article, ‘Should I rent or own a place in a retirement village?‘

The retirement community lifestyle is independent but convenient. There is a heavy focus on lifestyle elements which are easily accessible through a number of amenities including pools, gyms, cafes and golf courses – depending on the specific retirement village you choose.

Enclosed communal areas and a village centre are often present to encourage socialisation to help you get to know all of your neighbours.

Additionally, the security of the retirement village means you can continue to travel and explore while knowing your home is protected by a tight-knit community.

Some retirement communities may feature on-site aged care facilities and services as well, meaning you will not have to move far if your care needs change in the future.

If you would like to learn more about the exciting features of retirement living, read our article ‘Why you should consider a retirement village’.

An overview of supported living

Supported living complexes act as the middle ground between retirement village living and residential aged care.

Think of it as the next step up from retirement living when you do not quite require 24/7 care but still need some type of day-to-day help.

Featuring self-contained apartments or units, you live in a setting where you can maintain your independence but also have easy access to in-home care and support services when required. These dwellings are often located in a retirement community or they may be self-enclosed.

As a non-Government funded aged care option, you own the unit or apartment outright or enter a lease agreement with the provider. There are ongoing weekly service charges and additional fees for add-on services like laundry.

Supported living provides a sense of community and independence, combined with all the benefits you would expect from aged care facilities.

Typically, there is an aged care provider in place to assist with a wide range of home services, including personal care, health and wellbeing, allied health services, housekeeping service and meals.

The services you would receive in supported living would be tailored to your needs and include 24/7 emergency support.

Similar services are available in Supported Residential Services (SRS) or Supported Residential Facilities (SRF, found in South Australia only). SRS and SRF cater for the needs of a number of people, including older residents and people living with a disability.

These additional services will provide much-needed support at home for anyone with a medical condition or disability who wants to move into the next phase of retirement.

Choosing the best option for you

The decision to move into either retirement living or supported living depends on your own lifestyle and care needs.

If you are just looking to downsize your home while maintaining an active and social lifestyle, retirement living would be a suitable choice. There is a sense of community, housing security, and easy access to high-quality amenities and services.

But if your care needs do change, or you require additional help at home now, supported living may be the option for you.

Supported living offers a similar sense of community with additional in-home care, but in a far less formal setting than residential aged care.

It is the perfect go-between as you can organise any relevant support services for day-to-day care but you still have a sense of independence. This could be the best choice for couples where both still want to live in their own home but one partner requires more help than the other.

Ultimately, the choice you make about where you live in retirement comes down to your own changing needs and there is always additional assistance available for retirement or supported living.

Are you deciding between retirement living or supported living? Tell us more in the comments below.