Retirement Living

Older people, particularly those with underlying health conditions, were initially thought to be more susceptible to COVID-19, but in many ways older people and retirees may be better equipped psychologically to cope with this very strange time we find ourselves in. Older people have the experience of retirement to draw …

As we know, it is important now more than ever to keep connected with one another and while many believe the digital world is a foreign place for over 70s, Metlifecare is bringing its residents into the digital age to combat social isolation. Metlifecare has launched its new online activities …

The development of assistance robots within aged care comes with promises to help improve services and the quality of life for older people in aged care facilities and at those living at home. This technology will also assist with and relieve some of the work done by carers who are …

Dropping home ownership rates have resulted in a larger number of renters. It is not only younger people renting, but older people make up a portion of renters too. Research suggests that rental households between 2013 to 2026 will soar with a 75.9 per cent rise in renters over the …

Orientation Visits Orientation visits to specialized dementia and psychogeriatric care facilities began in November 2019. These visits help inform the approach, the assessment criteria and the development of the inspection programme. As they are orientation visits, not inspections, no reports are being produced, or recommendations are being made to facilities …

Throughout history, intergenerational cooperation and learning has been a fundamental part of many communities and cultures. Somewhere along the way we moved away from that model. Family members began living further apart from each other; therefore, they lost their natural intergenerational composition. Society as a whole has also become more …

The Chief Ombudsman’s inspections programme is being extended to include people held securely in privately-run aged care facilities – people who cannot leave when they want to, primarily those in locked care facilities (‘residents’). The new programme will be phased in over the next three years. Our first step is …

There are lots of factors that come in to play when deciding whether to move into a retirement village. These can be health, social, financial, security and lifestyle. Although not all retirement villages are the same, all of them have some similar characteristics that make them appealing to people. The social …

Making a decision about residential care often requires the consideration of complex and difficult issues. Should the older person stay at home or should they go into residential care? In some cases the older person makes the decision themselves but often, the family is involved. Each family member will have …

Keeping active is important at any age and any stage, including when you move into a retirement village. A Swedish study found that following a healthy lifestyle – being sociable, physically active and participating in leisure activities – could add up to five years to women’s lives and six years to men’s. …