Retirement living should be fun surely for both Village Managers and the residents?
Aveo’s Bayview Gardens Retirement Village Community Manager Mel Akehurst has hardly had a minute to sit down, since challenging her residents to live their best life after listening to Marcus Pearce at a DCM Institute VILLAGE SUMMIT last year.
Villages.com.au reported about the residents in November last year: Living their best life – village residents go indoor skydiving.
Now 14 residents from Bayview Gardens, aged 70 to 84, went with Mel and Aveo Chief Executive Officer Tony Randello to Penrith Whitewater Stadium 84km away.
With helmets on and paddles in hand, laughter and nerves broke out as they braved the cascades together.
Bayview Gardens resident and now avid adventurer, Garry Leyshon, is determined to rewrite what retirement looks like.
“We are all so exhilarated by these experiences that we continue to talk about them with other residents and friends, which builds momentum and inspires others to participate in the next activity,” Garry said.
“I was a little apprehensive about doing the skydiving, however Jill and I were excited and absolutely looking forward to the whitewater rafting with great confidence. We both loved it and thought it was an incredible experience.
“Our family is very supportive, however our friends living outside the village are surprised and probably would not consider doing it. I think that’s because they haven’t been encouraged to participate in activities that are a little out of the ordinary for our age group.
“Moving to Bayview Gardens has been one of the best decisions we’ve made. Our home is very comfortable, we are close to the shops and beaches, but above all we are trying new experiences and having a lot of fun while doing it with other like-minded residents.”
Mel added “maintaining a strong sense of community at Bayview Gardens was vital for the health and wellbeing of older Australians”.
“Social isolation is top of mind for retirees, so if we can encourage our residents to get out there, have a great time with like-minded people and build stronger friendships, then that is our job done,” she said.