What is a Retirement Village and how do they work?

Retirement is a new phase in your life, and at BlueCare we want you to continue to live life your way, enjoying the space, security and freedom to concentrate on the things you cherish. When you live in a BlueCare retirement village, you can lock up and leave, with the peace of mind that your home is safe and secure – giving you the chance to travel or visit family and friends – worry free.

What is a retirement village?

A retirement village is a community offering a range of accommodation, services and facilities, where most residents are over a certain age and retired from full-time work.

At BlueCare, our villages are designed to accommodate different retirement lifestyle preferences. They range from comfortable one and two-bedroom units in our traditional retirement villages, to premium resort-style homes complete with designer kitchens, modern bathrooms and beautifully landscaped gardens. At some villages, we offer serviced apartment-style accommodation, which includes laundry, meals and room cleaning.

We have more than 30 retirement villages across Queensland and we maintain close connections to the communities in which we operate. All details of accommodation, services, and facilities are listed in the Village Comparison Document for each site. Find a BlueCare retirement village near you.

Who lives in a retirement village?

BlueCare’s retirement villages welcome a range of people aged from 65 – residents are often in their early 70s – from all walks of life, who enjoy the community atmosphere of living among their peers.

Our retirement villages might suit people thinking ahead to a time when they or their partner might need extra support, as many are located close to BlueCare residential aged care accommodation. Providing the care needs are equal (as assessed by My Aged Care’s Aged Care Assessment Team), BlueCare will preference a retirement village resident who wishes to move into residential aged care.

Our retirement villages generally welcome pets such as house-trained cats and small dogs, at the discretion of the village manager.

Retirement village services and facilities

BlueCare’s retirement villages provide quality accommodation and access to home care services including help at home, personal care and nursing should you ever need them. If you are already receiving home care services under the Commonwealth Home Support Program or a Home Care Package, you can still access all your services when you move in.

Retirement villages are about enjoying the fellowship of a community. Residents benefit from the social opportunities of a village hub, which might include a cafe or licensed bar, TV rooms, libraries and sometimes a putting green, gym or swimming pool. In some villages, organised activities and outings are also available. For details of facilities, check the Village Comparison Document for each site.

Retirement villages offer maintenance-free gardens and community areas, and at BlueCare, maintenance inside your home is also part of the service. So, if a lightbulb needs changing, it is done promptly at no extra cost.

Most of our retirement living villages are ideally located within close proximity to public transport and shopping centres, hospital, medical, sporting and social venues.

What does it cost to live in a retirement village?

We have created a guide to the retirement village costs, and you can see detailed costings in the Village Comparison Document for each village.

What if I move to a retirement village and then want to leave?

If you decide you want to move out for any reason within 3 months of your lease commencing, we’ll refund your ingoing contribution and waive your exit fee.

All you'll pay is the general service fees and maintenance reserve fund contribution for the duration of your stay, the cost of repairing any damage above fair wear and tear and any costs connected with the termination of your lease.

For more information about our Peace of Mind Guarantee, please contact our sales professionals using the form below or refer to your village’s Village Comparison Document. Find your village here.

Our retirement team can explain anything you need to know about retirement. Call them today on 1800 990 446 to arrange an inspection.