How the sector’s evolving: 27 people aged over 100 in Levande’s retirement villages

The retirement living model has changed. It is not about to change, it has for ever. 

Levande’s Chief Operating Officer Michelle Bruggeman posted on LinkedIn the retirement village operator now has 27 residents aged 100 and over.  

“Joyce, crowned with a sparkling tiara and a golden sash declaring “100 is fabulous,” is truly living her best life. She still drives, volunteers, and runs the village shop. At 100, that is what we call Everyday Exceptional,” said Michelle of their marketing slogan. 

Now Levande, under the ownership of EQT, has evolved. It offers up front contracts (over 30% take up), employed Wellbeing Concierges who actively monitor residents' wellbeing and support them until they receive home care. In the villages where there is not Wellbeing Concierges, the services of Levande’s State Wellbeing Managers perform the same role. 

The Weekly SOURCE also reported how Not for Profit BaptistCare has implemented a care-in-village model across all 43 of its retirement villages. 

The evolution of retirement living – and where it is heading - was shown by sector CEOs at last month’s DCM Group Leading Conversations lunch in Melbourne presented by Lumin. Hear what Anne McCormack, CEO of mecwacare; Nathan Cockerill, CEO of Keyton;  Michelle Bruggeman, COO of Levande; and Paul Wilson, Co-Founder and CEO of Lumin.   

The term “age in place” has entered the vernacular of the retirement village operators above and with the residential aged care sector fully occupied, it had to evolve. 

It is pleasing to hear what the retirement village operators are thinking and, in turn, keeping the residents in their villages.  

But as Nathan Cockerill states, the evolution taking place does not suit the traditional DMF model. Keyton too has introduced an upfront payment option. 

Nathan also alluded to economies of scale in terms of care. If the pooled funding pilot scheme in retirement villages is a success, how quickly will the Albanese government implement it nationwide? If more than a third of village residents are on a home care package, a full-time nurse paid for through the residents’ home care packages, will be manna from heaven. 

With sector leaders like Kevin McCoy, Nathan Cockerill, and Anne McCormack, we know we have the thinkers able to adapt to what is happening in front of them.  

They need government help in terms of planning reform and as Kevin says if a couple leave their home and move into a retirement village, they have freed up a home without the need of developing a new home. 

It is hardly rocket science but to our political leaders it may as well be.