By Lesa Macpherson
Budgeting, losing weight and a healthier lifestyle are the most common New Year resolutions.
For many Elders and Retirees (and their families) it may also be a time to think about their lifestyles, and in particular, changes for the better.
We have found that Christmas and New Year gatherings can often be a time that caring loved ones notice a change in their mother and father or grandparents.
Over time these changes lead to a recognition that the house is much harder to maintain, health problems are impacting more, and even a lack of community and easily accessible leisure activities is becoming burdensome.
A change from a house to a Retirement Village may be timely and beneficial.
Retirement Villages usually involve downsizing accommodation, but upsizing community involvement is the happy result. Some refer to this as “right sizing”.
A decision to move into a Retirement Village is best done as a whole of family decision, with the involvement of the elderly persons, as well as their supportive children (who are often in their 50s or beyond).
A move into a Retirement Village is a significant legal decision as well, as the terms of Retirement Village contracts are complex, lengthy, and onerous.
It is essential that the elderly persons, and their family, understand the ramifications of what they are signing, and what it means to them down the track. Generalist advice isn’t good enough.
Sunshine Coast Elder Law are experts in the area of Retirement Village and Aged Care contracts and its website has, amongst other information, 24 points to look for in a Retirement Village, and all the recent changes in the law relating to Retirement Villages
Contact Lesa Macpherson on 1800382952 or visit www.sunshinecoastelderlaw.com.au
