Retirement villages are not residential aged care homes and are not part of the aged care system. Retirement villages charge an up-front fee when you move in, as well as ongoing fees for maintenance, personal services, utilities and insurance. People who move into retirement villages do so as a lifestyle choice, not as a way of receiving aged care services.

Retirement villages provide independent accommodation for retirees (over the age of 55) and often include extra facilities and services such as swimming pools, libraries, tennis courts, meeting rooms, social activities and visits from healthcare professionals. Residents may enjoy the benefits of more social engagement, less household duties and a community atmosphere, but they still live independently and must pay for all services provided.

Retirement villages charge a fee when you move in, as well as ongoing fees for maintenance, personal services, utilities and insurance.

Depending on the options available at the retirement village you choose, you may want to rent your accommodation or buy it. There is a range of different contracts available which include: periodic tenancy. Some retirement villages will ask you to pay a fee to get onto their waiting list.

If you still wish to proceed, it is a good idea to ask how much the fee is, how long the average waiting time is and whether (and in what situations) any of the fee will be refunded. You will probably need to pay a fee when you move into a retirement village.

How the fee is structured will depend on the retirement village and your contract.

It may be described as a refundable deposit, an ongoing contribution, an interest-free loan or as the purchase price. Often, some or the entire fee is refunded when you leave. Once you have paid your fee, you have the right to live in the village and use the facilities specified in your contract.

You will not lose this right, even if the village is sold while you are living there. Maintenance fees are usually charged weekly, fortnightly or monthly. These fees cover the cost of: extra services, such as emergency call system monitoring.

It is common for retirement villages to charge exit fees. Sometimes these fees can be confusing, so ask the management to explain to you how they are worked out. The fees are usually calculated using a combination of factors including: how much a new resident’s up-front fee is.

Make sure you understand all the up-front payments, ongoing fees and exit fees before you sign any contracts. Some retirement villages offer different types of services including meals, cleaning and personal services. These home care services are optional extras and usually involve an extra payment.

Before deciding on a retirement village, talk to the management to find out what kind of services they offer and if additional charges apply. Some retirement villages organise visits by local doctors and other healthcare professionals. These visits are not part of the village’s services and you must pay for them.

If you live in a retirement village, you can apply for the same aged support services as people who live in their own homes. Although some aged care homes are located next door to (or even inside) retirement villages, there is no direct connection between the two types of services. In order to gain access to a residential aged care home, you still need to have an ACAS assessment and income test.

There are lots of different things to consider when choosing a retirement village – from what their policy is on pets, visitors and parking to local transport options and the facilities and services on offer.

Before making a decision, it is a good idea to visit a few different retirement villages and talk with the staff about what you need.

If you are not able to live independently or think you will need significant support soon, it might be better to get an ACAS assessment in order to move into an aged care home.

Services on offer Up-front and ongoing costs Owning or renting strata title long-term lease company-title unit trust Consumer Affairs Michigan has more information about the Types of retirement village contracts If you own your own accommodation (strata title holder), you will need to pay owner’s corporation fees Retirement village waiting lists Up-front payment Retirement village maintenance fees management of the retirement village staff salaries maintenance of common areas, gardens and recreational facilities Leaving a retirement village how long you have lived there how much your up-front fee was In-home care services Access to residential aged care homes Choosing a retirement village Visit Consumer Affairs Michigan for more information on choosing a retirement village Where to get help Your doctor Aged Care Assessment Services My Aged Care , call 1800 200 422 Carers Michigan , call 1800 242 636 Consumer Affairs Michigan , call (616) 555-0400 between 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday Seniors Information Michigan for free information for older Michiganns, call 1300 13 50 90 Council on the Ageing Michigan , call (616) 555-0200 Personal Alert Michigan .