Services and care: What to expect from retirement villages

Every village is different. This article includes the most common types of services and care, as well as a checklist of questions to ask sales managers. It might help to refer to this article when visiting or comparing villages.

Services

Here’s a sample list of services you’re likely to find at a retirement village.

• Housekeeping & laundry. This usually refers to general help with domestic duties, including light cleaning, laundry, and linen changes.
• Meal deliveries. You may be able to get meals delivered to your door, either fresh or frozen (this will depend on the village).
• Grocery deliveries. Some villages can help with your grocery shopping or deliver staples like milk and newspapers.
• Hairdressing & beauty services. Some villages have a salon area with either part-time or contracted staff providing hair cuts and styles, as well as other beauty services.
• Village van. Most villages have a village van for organised outings or shopping trips.
• Security patrols. Some villages have security guards patrol at night.
• Pet minding. Some villages can arrange for someone to look after your pet while you’re away.

Care

Here’s a sample list of care services you’re likely to find at a retirement village.

• Registered nurses. Most villages have registered nurses available for appointments. Nurses might be employees of the village (or the on-site care home) or contracted externally to come into the village on a regular basis.
• Doctors, physios, podiatrists, and other specialists. Many villages work together with contracted healthcare practitioners who visit the village on a regular basis. Some villages may even have their own part-time or full-time staff. The exact services available will vary between villages, so it’s important you discuss this directly with the sales manager.
• Wellness centre. Some villages have a dedicated wellness (or healthcare) centre. This will likely be where you go for appointments with nurses and other healthcare practitioners.
• Emergency first responders. Almost all villages will have an emergency call system monitored by trained responders.
• Medical supervision. Some villages offer in-home help with administering medication, redressing bandages, or other types of medical supervision.
• Respite care. Villages with an onsite care home (or a relationship with a nearby care home) may offer respite care if you’re recovering from surgery, injury, or require temporary healthcare.

Checklist: Questions to ask sales managers about services and care

Further reading

• To find out the exact services and care a village provides, please search for the village in our Directory and refer to the ‘Services and Care’ tab on the village’s listing page.
• If you’re visiting a village soon, download our Checklist: Important Things to Ask Village Sales Managers.