By 2040 the population of 75 years plus is going to double in Port Macquarie Hastings. As Port Macquarie’s senior population grows, there’s a rising need for retirement living options that offer a supportive environment for ageing in place. Co-located retirement villages are a popular choice, catering to this need.
Garden Village combines independent living apartments with onsite aged care facilities. This model is particularly well-suited for Port Macquarie’s demographics, where seniors are increasingly entering retirement villages at a slightly older age. Residents have the peace of mind knowing higher levels of care are readily available if needed, right within the village community. One of the main advantages of co-located villages is their ability to support couples. If one partner requires more care and transitions to the aged care facility within the village, they can remain close to their partner, maintaining a strong sense of connection and a continuum of care.
We caught up with Lois and Doug about their experience at Garden Village.
Overseas Travel in the 1950s
Lois and Doug spent their early years in Sydney and met on the other side of the world. Travel was expensive at this time. Young Australians keen to see the world took advantage of cheaper tickets on migrant boats returning to Europe. Doug and Lois enjoyed living overseas and were married when they returned to Australia. They have been married for 62 years. Doug was a tool maker and Lois a stenographer. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Fifty wonderful years in Port Macquarie
They lived in Port for fifty years. They continued to enjoy travel during retirement to many places including Italy, Japan and South America throughout their 70s and 80s. A favourite spot was the Island of Capri.
Doug was a member of Lions Club and used to deliver books from the library to people across the Hastings. He was lucky to see many retirement villages. He said, “I thought Garden Village was the best one.”
Finding a Home at Garden Village
The couple moved to Garden Village when the Cascades opened in 2018. When choosing to move to Cascades, they wanted a north-facing apartment with two bathrooms. “We love the view over Hennesesy Park, said Doug. “
A Smooth Transition with Co-Located Care
The ease for couples to stay connected is a major benefit of co-located Retirement Living and Residential Aged Care. Residents can age in place, secure in the knowledge that higher levels of care are available if needed. This setup has proven to be a perfect fit for Lois and Doug. The biggest benefit of colocated Retirement Living and Aged Care communities is the continuum of care, strong social connections and peace of mind for residents and their families.
“Lois’s health is marvellous except she has dementia.” After Lois experienced a fall at Cascades she moved to Wintergarden. Despite the change, the couple has been able to maintain a close connection. Doug brought Lois home for lunch four days a week up until about six months ago. They now enjoy visiting GV’s Cafe together for a coffee before lunch at Wintergarden. “It’s perfect having self-care and full care available at the same
location. We think it’s great.” Doug Resident The Cascades
Focus on Resident Wellbeing and Nutrition
Another key aspect of Garden Village is the focus on resident wellbeing. Doug mentioned the catering team’s efforts. They work to ensure Lois enjoys her meals, even with her reduced appetite. This highlights the importance of a team approach in aged care, where family, chefs, and care staff work together to deliver an enjoyable dining experience that can positively impact residents’ health.
Garden Village Virtual Reality Travel
Always up for an adventure, Lois and Doug expressed interest in the Virtual Reality Armchair Travel program. This program enables residents with dementia, like Lois, to venture abroad again. Virtual Reality has many opportunities for people with dementia to stimulate memories and improve cognition as well as offering a shared experience for couples to enjoy together.
Interested in booking a tour of Garden Village Contact us today.
