As the Australian population continues to age, there has been a growing demand for quality retirement communities that offer a wide range of amenities and services. One of the newest and most innovative retirement communities in Australia is the Korongee Village in Tasmania. Located in Hobart’s Glenorchy suburb, this unique retirement village is designed specifically for people with dementia, and is the first of its kind in the country.
Dementia in Australia
The latest Dementia Australia study notes over 400,000 people living with dementia in Australia — and that number might break the 800,000 barrier by 2058, due to the country’s ageing population. Additionally, it is estimated that around 250 people are diagnosed with dementia each day in Australia. The disease is the leading cause of death for Australian women and the second leading cause of death overall. It is clear that there is a growing need for innovative and effective aged-care programmes to support people living with dementia in Australia.
Korongee Village
Opening in late 2020, the Korongee Village is a joint project between Dementia Australia and Glenview Community Services, a not-for-profit aged care provider, with financing partially provided by health industry super vendor HESTA. The village is designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for people with dementia, while also promoting independence and social engagement.
One of the key features of the Korongee Village is its “neighbourhood” design. The village is made up of 15 individual homes, each of which is designed to accommodate six residents. Each home is designed to look and feel like a typical suburban house, with a front porch, a garden, and a backyard. This design is intended to create a sense of familiarity and comfort for residents, while also promoting social interaction among neighbours. Those houses will line four cul-de-sacs with each house’s door painted in distinctive colours.
In addition to the individual homes, the Korongee Village also includes a range of communal facilities, such as a community centre, a café, a hair salon, and a workshop. These facilities are designed to encourage social interaction and provide opportunities for residents to engage in activities that promote physical and mental wellbeing. The addition of communal facilities were designed to closely replicate a regular community in Tasmania.
One of the most innovative aspects of the Korongee Village is its use of technology to support residents with dementia. Each home is equipped with sensors that monitor residents’ movements and behaviours, which can help staff detect changes in residents’ health or wellbeing. The village also uses a range of virtual reality and interactive technologies to provide residents with engaging and stimulating experiences.
Glenview CEO Lucy O’Flaherty expressed hope that the complex will be a precedent for more special retirement villages to help seniors in cognitive decline. “[For] families who have their loved ones living with dementia who can stay at home but are looking for some guidance, we have the opportunity to help share the learnings of what we have done that you can do in your own home,” she said.
Financing your retirement living with the ASAG Reverse Mortgage
Retirement living can be expensive, and financing options are an important consideration for many retirees. One option to consider is the ASAG Reverse Mortgage, an equity release solution that allows homeowners to access the wealth in their home without having to sell the property.
With a reverse mortgage, the borrower receives regular payments based on the value of their home. The loan is repaid when the borrower sells the property, or when they pass away. The funds from the reverse mortgage can be used for your retirement goals, including Aged Care.
For more details about our reverse mortgage and other equity release options, please reach out to us at 1300 002 724 or send an email to info@asagfirst.com.au.
You can also use our free calculator to determine your available equity.