Not surprisingly people talk about buying their first home as being a life changing event
and it is. However, in the past it has been rare for people to talk so excitedly about
moving into some form of retirement living.
Given that sooner or later most of us are likely to have to deal with this issue either
because we are assisting our parents, another family member or friend in making the
transition from their home to a retirement community or because we are considering
such a move for ourselves, it is important to know what your options are and to
understand the legal and financial implications that come with this type of move.
A world of options
In days gone by the very notion of a retirement home was enough to send a shiver down
many people’s spines. Thoughts of early dinners and endless games of bingo did little to
encourage our more mature citizens to view this as a desirable life stage.
The good news is that things on the aged care front have changed considerably in the
last decade and there is now a wider choice of accommodation options available than
ever before.
Choices range from luxurious apartment complexes for the “Over 55” community
through to multi-functional retirement communities where a variety of accommodation
and services are provided on the one site ranging from independent living right through
to around the clock nursing care of the more traditional nursing home variety.
Things to think about
The key to any successful life change usually starts with learning about the options
available and understanding the legal and financial obligations that come with each
option, so get out and start looking at what is available in the area where you or the
person you are assisting would like to live. Then once you have an idea what is available
in the area and price range you are looking for start considering the legal and financial
issues that go hand in hand with the more emotional part of the process.
Remember not all retirement communities are created equal
First up ask “Is this the right retirement community for me?” If you are helping someone
else it might not be right for you personally but is it what they are looking for?
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Now this may sound like an obvious question, but it is important not to be dazzled by a
new fancy fit out if on closer inspection the retirement community does not offer the
range of services needed or if it is so far from family and friends that visitors will be few
and far between and social isolation is likely to occur.
Just as every suburb and neighbourhood has its own quirks every retirement community
is different and this is definitely not a case of one size fits all.
The Wish List
Make a wish list of what you are looking for.
At the top of the list put the “must haves” and at the bottom of the list add the “would be
nice but not essential” things.
Things to consider including might be:
- being close to public transport,
- a range of on-site activities,
- nursing assistance being available if needed,
- a one-stop shop with different care levels all catered for in the one complex, or
- proximity to current neighbourhood and family and friends.
Each person will have a different set of priorities.
The more you are able to focus on what is most important the easier it should be to
eliminate options that are not the best for you and also the easier it will be to avoid
getting side tracked by things that really don’t matter quite as much.
Some important things to think about
Making a move into a retirement community is a significant life change and there are
emotional, financial and legal issues that will come up along the way.
Some things to consider before signing any paperwork and making a commitment of this
kind include: - Do I need to sell my home first before I can afford to move?
- If I buy into a retirement community what exactly am I buying?
- Is the property strata or community titled or does some other form of ownership
apply? - Does the property I am buying form part of my estate after I die or does
ownership revert to some other entity (such as the company that operates the
retirement community)? - Exactly what does the contract say – what are my rights and responsibilities
under the contract? - Are there any ongoing fees and charges in addition to the purchase price?
Page | 3 - What other costs do I need to factor in when I move? Don’t forget to include
moving costs and possibly storage costs if you won’t be able to take all your
possessions with you and are not yet ready to part with things you cannot fit into
your new home. - Do I have to pay the whole price upfront or can you pay a portion of the cost and
then pay the balance in ongoing instalments? Are they any other payment options
such as pension sacrifice available? - Will the move into a retirement community affect any pension or rent assistance
currently received? - Is the facility able to provide a higher level of care later on if your needs change
or would you need to move to a different facility if your care needs increased? - What costs are associated with any care provided?
Ask for help
This type of move can prove to be a challenging one for both the person involved and
anyone assisting them and it is important to understand exactly what is involved legally
and financially before entering into any contracts.
If you or someone you know wants more information or needs help or advice, please
contact us on 02 9191 9293 or email mail@rnlegal.org