Derek McMillan and Peter Brown reinforce the ageing of village customers

The Property Council Retirement Outlook seminar in Sydney this week attracted 220 people to hear Macroplan Dimasi economist Jason Anderson’s review of the sector. Panellists Derek McMillan (CEO of Australian Unity Retirement) and Peter Brown (now Chairman of Metlifecare NZ and Forest Place Group - pictured) were forthright in their views about future demand and the government’s approach to care packages. McMillan pointed out that every year since he became CEO (2005) the average age of entry in his 2000 ILUs has increased by one year – to an average of 79 now. Brown stated 80 was the new norm in his Aveo experience. They believe Government will have to review policy, separating accommodation from care, allowing increased care to be efficiently delivered into villages. Brown pointed to the NZ Metlifecare continuum of care model, predicting it will become the model for Australian villages in the medium term.