| I spent a lot of time with my grandparents from the | | | | village with different sized apartments. We looked at |
| age of seventeen to twenty one. My parents moved | | | | a one and two bedroom option and she straight |
| back to Europe and as I wanted to stay in Australia, | | | | away said she wanted to take the two bedroom |
| my grandparents' home became my own for a few | | | | place. She has a few friends interstate who come to |
| years. | | | | visit and she wanted them to be able to stay with |
| Through this time we became close and it was great | | | | her when they came up to Queensland. |
| to have them around as I moved into my own home | | | | It turned out that the price was lower than a small |
| with my wife. My grandfather became ill and soon | | | | independent house and it came with a lot of added |
| passed away. It was a sad time and my | | | | benefits. Most importantly for me was fast access to |
| grandmother decided she no longer wanted to keep | | | | help from carers if she had a problem. There are |
| their large home, filled with all her memories. | | | | shared facilities, like barbecue areas, some organized |
| Being close to my grandmother, it really became up | | | | activities and lots of gardens for her to enjoy. |
| to me to decide where she should live after her | | | | At first I was feeling a little bad about helping her |
| house was sold. There were a few options, she could | | | | move into a retirement home, because of the |
| live with us, buy a new smaller house, or move to a | | | | stereotype I had created, about putting old people in |
| retirement village. | | | | homes. But her community is bright, airy, modern and |
| We thought about it for some time and decided the | | | | friendly. I truly think it is the best place for her. |
| retirement village option would be the best. Both my | | | | I think anyone in a similar position needs to |
| wife and I work full time and would not be able to | | | | remember a few things before taking this difficult |
| assist her or keep her company during the day. | | | | decision. Firstly it helps to go and visit a few |
| Similarly, if she bought a new house, she would feel | | | | communities in the area you relative is going to live. |
| isolated and lonely. | | | | Different retirement homes will suit some people |
| So we investigated the retirement villages in our | | | | more than others. Talk to your relative about what is |
| area, to see what they could offer. We didn't start | | | | important to them and what they expect from a |
| out thinking we would find a fairy tale home for my | | | | retirement village. Meet some of the current guests. |
| grandma, with lots of friends and interesting activities | | | | Be aware of how close places like supermarkets are. |
| for her to do all day. We just wanted a comfortable | | | | Read the retirement villages policies and make sure |
| safe place for her to live, which was not far away | | | | they suit your loved one. |
| from us. | | | | I hope that your search for a suitable retirement |
| After just a few days checking out different | | | | how is as positive as mine was, and that you find a |
| communities, my grandma soon made the decision | | | | comfortable place for your relative to live where |
| herself. We had just walked into a new retirement | | | | they can enjoy their time. |