The laid-back lifestyle, breathtaking scenery, and low cost of living in Southland, New Zealand make it a popular retirement location. These villages provide a variety of amenities and services, including healthcare, leisure time activities, and social gatherings. When selecting a senior living choice in Southland, it's critical to take into account elements like location, accessibility, and pricing.
Apartment Village Living in Southland Villages
Thinking about apartment living? Apartment living in a village (or Lifestyle Village) provides a great way to enjoy your golden years. Having the freedom and independence of your own apartment, balanced with access to a variety of amenities and services makes life easier and more enjoyable. A selection of villages offer one, two or even three bedroom options. Apartments are generally spacious and well-appointed, and may feature a kitchenette, bathroom and comfortable living areas. Depending on the layout, some villages may offer space for you to relax outside on a balcony or patio.
Southland villages may offer a range of shared amenities for residents, including a dining room with meals prepared by a professional chef, a swimming pool and spa, a library, and a gym. Lifestyle villages may also host social activities and events such as movie nights, exercise classes, Bingo nights, and potluck meals. Additionally, some villages provide a van for residents' day outings.
Although apartment living affords your own comfortable independent space, you may also be able to opt for a serviced apartment in which staff can help you with housekeeping, meals and daily housekeeping activities. Additional fees may apply. It would be suggested to look at your ORA or LTO for more information to see if this option is available.
Villas
For those who need to downsize and simplify their lives while enjoying a comfortable and secure living environment, independent lifestyle village living is a great choice. Located in a community where you can Southland new friends and enjoy a variety of activities, this type of accommodation offers all the conveniences you need to live a comfortable, independent lifestyle. Villas are designed with the needs of older adults in mind. The hallways are wide, the countertops lower, and the bathrooms are equipped with grab bars to prevent falls. Providers keep sustainability in view, equipping their villas with energy-efficient features such as double-glazed windows and insulation, as well as the usual modern chattels you'd expect.
Living in a retirement village villa has lots of benefits. You'll have the privacy and independence of your own home, but you'll also have access to a variety of amenities and services, such as a clubhouse, a pool, and a fitness centre. You'll be surrounded by a community of people in a similar stage of life who share your interests while benefiting from a village environment that is safe and secure. Surrounded by other villas, older adults can rely on 24-hour security guards and a video surveillance system.
Southland Villages that offer Serviced Apartments
A serviced apartment in a retirement village is a self-contained apartment that includes the added benefits of optional delivered meals, housekeeping, and other services as part of the rent. This type of accommodation is ideal for people who want the independence of living in their own apartment, but desire the convenience of having meals prepared and their apartment cleaned for them.
Serviced apartments typically range in size from studios to one-bedroom options. They are maybe furnished and equipped with kitchenettes, bathrooms, and living areas. Some apartments may also feature balconies or patios.
Options for a serviced apartment could include:
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner (choice of delivery or in the dining area)
Housekeeping: Cleaning on a regular basis.
Laundry: Typical laundry services.
Transportation: Transport to and from appointments.
Activities: A variety of activities, such as social events, fitness classes and educational programs.
Southland Rental Villages
A rental village is a type of retirement village that offers a studio or a villa/townhouse type style house for rent. They don't fall under an ORA or LTO agreement and are rented from week to week. The village may also supply a variety of communal facilities and services, such as a dining room, library, pool and spa. They offer the benefits of community, with regular social activities and events.
Rental villages typically offer a variety of amenities. You could expect to enjoy perks such as a dining room (where you can enjoy meals prepared by a chef), transport, housekeeping, laundry services, activities and events. Rental villages also offer a wonderful sense of community and offer a great opportunity to connect with like-minded people as well as the chance to meet people and make friends. Unfortunately, there are not many rental villages available in New Zealand and they are in high demand and many do have long wait lists on them.
Villages that offer a continuum of care
Some retirement villages may offer a continuum of care. The big six—Ryman Healthcare, Summerset, Metlifecare, Oceania, Bupa, and Arvida—typically include this option in most of their village settings. This means they provide a range of services and care options. So, when your healthcare needs change and you are in independent living, you have the option to move to assisted living or residential care. This allows you to age in a familiar, homely environment and receive the care you need as your needs change.
Keep in mind that even if your village offers a continuum of care, it is subject to availability at the time and will require a Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) which you can be referred by your GP or do a self-referral.
