Confusion among retirement village residents
A lack of clear communication from some retirement village operators is increasing anxiety among their residents.
Hot Topic
Long reads
A lack of clear communication from some retirement village operators is increasing anxiety among their residents, according to a report released today.
This year a monitoring project examined the Commissioner’s Retirement Villages Act 2003 from the perspective of retirement village residents. Residents were asked about how well they understood the Act and its implementation.
Retirement commissioner Diana Crossan said the report found that while residents often moved to retirement villages primarily for the security they offered, they could then become anxious about the future of their villages and how future changes may affect them.
“Most retirement village operators communicate really well and implement the Act properly. Their residents are very happy and do feel secure. But in villages where the Act isn’t implemented well, the opposite can be true.”
Residents’ concerns included fee increases, reductions in services, failure to provide planned amenities and a lack of consultation over changes in the operation or ownership of the villages.
She said while there was a requirement for intending residents to get legal advice before they sign up, the report found some residents were unclear about the meaning and implication of their contract.
She said clear communication was vital to ensure peace of mind among residents and their families.
The report is part of a five-year monitoring project by the retirement commissioner, who is required to monitor the effects of the Retirement Villages Act, the regulations and the Code of Practice.
The report is online at www.retirement.org.nz/monitoring.
NBR staff
Wed, 20 Jul 2011
Wed, 20 Jul 2011
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Confusion among retirement village residents
15960