The Future of Retirement Homes.
Last year a letter came from council to let me know a 4 storey retirement complex was being built close to me. I live in a country town of less than 2000 people.
At the moment the retirement village is made up of little single level cottages each with a small garden, some with garages and for the less capable a two storey building of small apartlettes (a bedroom and ensuite) that overlook their green space on one side and a view of the mountains on the other.
The oldies feed the birds and meander along the treed pathways around their complex.
I didn’t like the idea of a 4 storey complex however it was on the low side of the road and so thought it wouldn’t have too much impact.
Then floor by floor the monster rose 1 2 3 4 then 5 then 6. It was time to telephone council. I was informed they have lost control of these large developments because the State government has given the go ahead. No doubt they don’t start counting until the building is at street level even though normal homes aren’t given that same allowances.
This building would be the size of a hospital. No gardens, minimal parking – just concrete. Then I get letters in the mail saying the single storey dementia unit is also going to be pulled down and replaced with a monster as well. It feels like a threat rather than information as I live opposite.
Is this the baby boomers future? Concrete coffins? Are we really this short of land 200 km from Sydney? This isn’t the first one this company has built. It is being duplicated around the countryside. I used to think I would move into this retirement village when I could no longer cope. Not anymore.
Recently YLC asked what we thought would be categorised as abuse of the elderly. Start here.
When did our nation become so greedy that we could just dispose of the elderly like this?
These apartments are not for the poor or pensioners. Retirees are going to have to pay for the privilege of living in a prison.
I’d rather jump if this is our future. Except I am sure that would make any government even happier.
Would you be happy to retire to this?
Amendment - an email from our State member for Parliament says this is soley a council decision and nothing to do with the NSW Government.
Shaggy - Frangipanis are beautiful flowers. I have a small Pink one which has struggled to flower this year. I think those 40c days were not the best. Your right about a lot of patients rarely seeing visitors. My Father was in a nursing home and the man in the bed opposite him never had a visitor. I used to talk with him and he showed me drawings he did, as he was a stained glass window maker. They were beautiful. When his health became worse and he eventually passed away, the son came wanting to know what had happened to his belongings. They make me sick these people. Only turn up to see what they can get out of the estate.