The national broadcaster attacked the leading retirement village operator with a story about one of its former residents Helen McPhee, who lived in Torrens Grove, Kilkenny, an inner north-western suburb of Adelaide, for three years.
The issue raised being the contract she signed willingly was beyond a woman with dementia. When she entered the retirement village, the operator was not made aware of any cognitive decline. In fact for four years, she was part of the community. RetireAustralia said not one resident had expressed concern with the type of contract Helen signed.
In response, CEO Brett Robinson used the company's LinkedIn profile to reveal his Mum Heather is a resident in his company's Drayton Villas Retirement Village in Toowoomba, Queensland.
“Moving into a retirement village is about maintaining your independence, having privacy and social connection, as well as access to care and support when you need it," said Brett.
"My family and I have peace of mind knowing that Mum is now supported and thriving at Drayton Villas Retirement Village.
"She is a different woman from what she was following Dad's passing. She is surrounded by a community with a vibrant social environment. Mum has always been a people person and has thrown herself immediately into the community and is living the life that she wants for herself in her own home.”
Anne Caine, Secretary of ACT RVRA, put it bluntly as to how the sector's residents have perceived the ABC broadcasts and online content.
"There are operators who are mean and residents a bit loopy. I have not met a person who does not think the 7.30 stories were very one-sided," she said.
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