A new approach to retirement living

SA’s new generation of retirees opt for ‘age-in-place’ living over frail care

TODAY’S RETIREES are increasingly prioritising the delicate balance between their growing need for care as they age, and their strong desire to maintain in-dependence for as long as possible, with a growing percentage opting for the ‘age-in-place’ model.

Recent findings from the US National Poll on Healthy Aging revealed that 88% of Americans aged between 50 and 80 expressed their desire to ‘age in place’—remaining in a home environment rather than a frail care facility for as long as possible.

However, 47% of respondents admitted to having given no thought to what home modifications would be required to ensure their safety.

This dilemma is not unique to ageing Americans.  An increasing number of South Africans have expressed to their families their preference for adopting an age-in-place policy rather than the traditional transition to a frail care facility or a nursing home—but there are still strong concerns around providing appropriate and immediate medical attention when needed.

Retirement developments that have adopted an age-in-place policy are fast emerging as the ideal compromise for concerned families and independent older adults, allowing residents to retain their comfort and dignity while still ensuring their safety.

Why the new generation of reti-rees favours an age-in-place policy

While living in a full-time frail care faci-lity remains the best option for elderly people living with severe medical conditions, this is no longer as common a practice, with the Journal of Gerontology reporting that the percentage of older adults living in nursing homes has dras-tically declined over the last 20 years.

This rising resistance to living in a frail care facility is the result of several factors:

• The desire to be independent and maintain control of one’s personal space;
• Feeling confident in their mental health, and their ability to manage their own care by seeking help when needed;
• Fear of being isolated from friends and family; and
• Round-the-clock care can become incredibly costly.

The age-in-place model integrates tra-ditional healthcare on an as-needed basis, tailored to individual needs.  While any well-run retirement development will have emergency medical services on call 24/7, this approach minimises costs for retirees and allows them to recuperate at home when possible.

This is crucial, as the ability to recover from surgery in a familiar home environment has been linked to improved post-operative outcomes, faster recovery, and reduced risk of depression and isolation, particularly in older patients.

Holistic wellness and primary care to promote healthy ageing

The new generation of retirees are putting more emphasis on exercise and holistic wellbeing practices to manage their health as they age, rather than relying only on traditional medical care.

Staying active is essential for maintaining health as one ages, with regular exercise classes having been proven to improve cardiovascular health, cognitive function, flexibility, strength, and even lifespan—while reducing the risk of falls.

Age-in-place models in a retirement development emphasise primary care for residents, including annual health assessments, GP check-ups, and prescription management.  This forms part of a preventative care strategy that can help with diagnosing health conditions before they escalate.

Regular health monitoring services through primary care are highly beneficial for elderly residents, often preventing the need for hospitalisation.  In retirement villages where primary care is offered, typically fewer than 5% of residents will eventually need the round-the-clock care provided by dedicated frail care facilities.

Ultimately, a holistic, patient-centred, and primary care approach to senior health is what makes the age-in-place model so successful and so beloved by modern retirees.

In this model, frail care has become a service, not a place.  Residents are able to access care when they need it, while still retaining their independence and dignity—giving both them and their families one less thing to worry about.

Gus van der Spek, owner of retirement lifestyle estate Wytham Estate in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs.