’Tis the season for a lifestyle upgrade with the family’s blessing

This is the time of year when extended families get together and spend time with their  loved ones.

It’s often a time for reflection on whether current accommodation  is suitable, and whether a change  is desirable.

Perhaps our cherished older  relatives are not feeling as sprightly as they did last year or are isolated, and maybe the time has come for them to consider moving into a retirement village or even aged care to enjoy an improved lifestyle.

A decision to move into a retirement village is best done as a whole-of-family decision, with the involvement of the senior persons, as well as their supportive children (themselves often in their 50s or more).

Often, it is the children who first see that mum and dad/nanny and pa are only just managing, and a change from the home to a retirement village may be timely and beneficial.

These decisions are not easily made and can be quite sensitive to reflect on.

But over time, there is usually a recognition that the house seems  bigger, the maintenance workload greater, or even the lack of  community and communication is becoming burdensome.

Retirement villages inevitably involve a downsizing of accommodation, but often an upsizing of community involvement through the new facilities.

In fact, some in the industry call it ‘right sizing’.

A move into a retirement village is a significant legal decision as well. 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.

Also, we strongly encourage using a financial advisor.

 Sunshine Coast & Brisbane Elder Law staff are experts in the area of retirement  village and aged care contracts.  Call 1800 961 622 or visit sunshinecoastelderlaw.com.au or brisbaneelderlaw.com.au