With the luxury of a full day Workshop staged by DoComeMonday last Wednesday at Minter Ellison, Robin Lyons had the opportunity to explain the impact on retirement village operators if they support home care and consumer directed care being delivered into their retirement village.

The challenge is customers are demanding support in care services now and operators are obliging. Lyons however sees the supportive regulations and legislation being years away, leaving operators severely exposed.

He pointed out that as Head of Retirement at Minter’s, 12 months ago he had little interaction with his colleagues in the Health practice of Minters. Now the evolving business of his retirement village clients requires him to daily consult with his health colleagues.

In addition to a significant increase in business risk, the ability to recover costs and cover services and obligations in a retirement village contract are profound and not catered for under current legislation.