While there are the obvious benefits that come with moving to a retirement village like no longer having to maintain a large family home, there are also many intangible benefits that are less obvious, and although you may not have thought of them yet, they could become very important to you once you make the move.
PURPOSE AND THE CHANCE TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING
Sometimes after retiring, we can begin to feel like we’ve lost our purpose in life. Our children have their own lives, and we no longer have a career to focus on. Moving to a retirement village instead of downsizing to a regular home can provide you with opportunities to help you find your purpose again. You’ll be exposed to new, likeminded people who are at a similar stage in life, which means new friendships, the chance to try new things, and the opportunity to find a new passion or hobby!
Perhaps you decide to join the resident social committee and plan village events and fundraisers, or take up lawn bowls and play in tournaments with a team of other residents at the local bowls club. You might decide to take care of the communal veggie patch if you love to garden, or introduce the residents to your favourite hobby and teach classes in the village centre. Whatever it may be, retirement village living can give you the chance to find your purpose again or be a part of something special.
NEW EXPERIENCES
Living in a retirement village can also provide you with many opportunities to have wonderful new experiences. Alongside the many events and activities that are held within the village including fashion shows, happy hours, and high teas, our residents are constantly venturing out together for visits to the local pub, race days, trips to the theatre, and even cruises!
Maybe there are things you’ve missed out on previously because you had no one to go with, but living in a retirement village means you’re surrounded by people with similar interests and there are many more opportunities to connect over hobbies with your new neighbours.
ACCESS TO WELLNESS ACTIVITIES
Another benefit of living in a retirement village is having easy access to wellness activities and programs that you may not have had otherwise, or may not have been motivated to go to if they weren’t just conveniently down the road in the village centre.
From gentle movement, water aerobics, and yoga classes, to presentations and product demonstrations on hearing, mobility, sleep, and brain health, there’s always something wellness based happening in our villages that are designed to better the lives of our residents.
THE CHANCE TO FIND A LIFE COMPANION
Retirement is a time of great change, and while most people look forward to these years as a time to start living life to the full, many seniors can find it increasingly isolating. Family members can be busy with their own lives, and we can sadly start losing loved ones.
At Oak Tree, the community nature of our retirement villages can help you foster that crucial connection and greatly enhance your quality of life, whether you’re single or partnered into your later years. The majority of our residents are singles who have formed many wonderful friendships since making the move, some even finding romantic partners in other residents!
There’s no age limit to discovering love, whether that be in a friend or a new life partner, and living in a retirement village can be the perfect place to find it!
