Not-for-profit Anglicare is doing just that – spending $70 million to create a village where the shops, welfare services and other facilities will face out onto the street – and be available to both the residents and the public.
The ‘first of its kind’ co-located retirement village and aged care home at Rooty Hill in western Sydney will include 160 retirement living units and a 90-room aged care home and be located right next to the Rooty Hill train station.
Anglicare is not the first operator to create a village with facilities that are open to the public, with a number offering cafés, restaurants and sporting facilities that are used by residents and the community.
But they are really promoting the idea of older Aussies staying connected to their community.
Easy access for all
The site will also be completely level with stairless access to shops and services and array of walking paths so residents can socialise with each other and the wider community – something that research has shown is vital for us as we age.
Currently I don’t drive or have a car so I would never live anywhere where I didn’t have access to public transport or could walk around easily – and I can’t see this changing as I get older.
Some of the retirement units will also be reserved for affordable rental housing – another important issue with the rates of home ownership continuing to fall.
Thumbs up to Anglicare for tackling two problems in one. Where can we sign up?
