Some retirement villages offer serviced apartments, which are ideal if you or a loved one requires extra support.

Serviced apartments are generally studio-sized, or have a separate bedroom, and include a private bathroom, kitchenette, and living area. They will often have a balcony or courtyard to relax.

The difference is that the retirement village takes care of housekeeping, maintenance, and will provide meals daily. It thus also allows a degree of independence and there is generally a community centre for socialising.

Serviced apartments are perfect if a person’s care needs are increasing, yet they want to keep doing what they love.

Benefits of a serviced apartment include:

Staying with your loved one: You can continue to live with your partner in a serviced apartment, whether they require extra support or not.

Access to home care: along with housekeeping and meals, you can access personal care through home care. This could include help with showering and dressing, medication management or wound management, as well as much more. Care is flexible and tailored to exactly what you need when you need it. It can be funded privately or through a government-funded Home Care Package.

Ageing in place: Serviced apartments allow you to stay in the retirement village and remain part of the community, while increased support is provided, while still allowing independence. All the facilities at the village remain for your use when needed.

No household chores and daily meals: In a serviced apartment, there will be housekeeping, maintenance, and daily meals. This leaves time to focus on the things and the people that matter most.