Retirement villages key to future living

In 2022 there were approximately 768,900 people who were aged 65 or over in Ireland. The CSO predicts that those numbers will increase significantly in the coming years to almost 1.6 million by 2051.

Many older people experience a sense of isolation, even within urban settings, living in homes that no longer cater to their needs. Their need for community-based healthcare and homecare frequently remains unmet. As a result, many find themselves in costly nursing homes prematurely.

With people living longer lives, the future for elderly people lies in vibrant, integrated communities rather than in isolated dwellings.

Pat O’Mahony from Inniscarra has advocated for the 'retirement village' idea as the obvious choice for older people whose homes no longer suit their current stage of life.

At present, there is a shortage of quality retirement housing in Ireland, and the waiting lists for the limited number of active retirement villages can extend for up to five years.

However according to Pat, “Australia and New Zealand have responded to this challenge by developing the retirement village model. Today, some 13% of Australians and New Zealanders reside in retirement villages.

“If Ireland were to adopt this approach it could enhance the lives of a significant proportion of our elderly,” he says.

In his book ‘Rethinking Housing Options for Senior Citizens – Retirement Villages in Every Irish Community,’ Pat looks at the retirement village model through researching the needs of older people, including what they feel they need in terms of housing, and also what needs to be done to establish fit-for-purpose retirement villages in Irish communities, both rural and urban.

Integrated services

According to Pat, housing alone, irrespective of its age-friendliness, is not enough. “Health and care services generally must be integrated into the whole housing package, and processes must be put in place to facilitate sustainable and mutually beneficial interactions between those living in the retirement village and those in the wider community.

“If we get the village model right, those in their golden years should be able to live with a high level of independence and a good quality of life for much longer than might otherwise be the case,” he says.

Pat emphasises that ensuring older people live comfortably and fulfilled for as long as possible is a societal responsibility. It cannot just be left to the older people themselves, their families or charity.

However, he says it need not require significant amounts of expenditure. “It requires a paradigm shift in the way we think about the older cohort in society. It also requires the State to put legislation and fit-for purpose regulations, standards, to protect the interests of all involved with the provision of housing for older people.

“And also to incentivise and facilitate the development and popularisation of what may be generally described as retirement villages.”

While Pat says the retirement village isn't a cure-all for improving the quality of life for older individuals, it can indeed play a substantial role in enhancing the lives of many senior citizens. “It is about providing them with attractive housing options they may choose to live in rather than with housing they are, in any sense, required to live in.

‘Rethinking Housing Options for Senior Citizens – Retirement Villages in Every Irish Community’ is available for free at retirementvillagesireland.ie.