Aged care sector resilient

SEP 201

RETIREES are voting with their feet and embracing a new, user pays supported living alternative to traditional aged care, according to one operator at Tweed Heads.

Fairways supported living community project manager Gregg Hewitt, says the 70-home facility is now almost 60 per cent sold. There are 11 supported living communities in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

“As the marketplace has come to understand the supported living model, so has our rate of sale increased exponentially,” he says.

“As opposed to the ‘no you can’t’, hospital-based model that is traditional aged care, at Fairways we provide a lifestyle of care and support whilst maintaining residents’ independence, privacy and importantly dignity.”

Fairways comprises 56 homes measuring 82 sq m inclusive of balcony with a separate bedroom, ensuite, study, dining and living room, full kitchen and laundry facilities.

“Our supported living communities, developed under the Retirement Village Act, recognise that residents can continue to live independently with the right level of care and support,” he says.

“Our communities acknowledge that people are living longer and healthier; they want to live in prime locations; they want five star facilities and most of all they want to have total freedom of choice. Our view is that seniors, who have built this nation, deserve the dignity of a wider array of residential options.”

Standard one bedroom homes start at $245,000 and deluxe homes are from $385,000.

Another Tweed Heads project has sold 10 luxury apartments since its launch in July.

Serene Living comprises 77 spacious apartments with one plus study and two and three bedroom ensuite apartments, ranging in size from 70 to 130 square metres with generous balcony spaces.

The $46 million luxury over 55’s resort developed by Proda, is centrally located on Florence Street in the heart of the thriving Greenbank precinct.

Proda director Ben Fuller expected the development to be well received by the local community but is surprised by the level of interest, selling almost 13 per cent of all stock in the first month.

“We are blown away by the support from the local Tweed community and believe the sales rush is a testament to the unique lifestyle that Serene Living provides,” he says.

“These sales are a sign of the demand in the marketplace for a development offering a luxurious resort-style development, the perfect sea change lifestyle in one of the most idyllic locations on the Tweed.”

Fuller says Serene was designed to meet market demand for retiree’s with an active lifestyle who are looking to lead an independent way of life with new state of the art kitchen, modern appliances, built in microwave, glass cook top, slim line range hood & integrated dishwashing drawers.

Serene is located across the road from the Tweed Heads Bowls Club. A sales display centre has opened onsite, opposite the bowls club.