Ryman CEO for Australia, Cameron Holland, is working hard to bring to government and the village sector the benefits of the continuum of care model. Following his White Paper release, he staged a lunch in Melbourne last Friday with Amber Cartwright from Ansell Strategic, Bev Smith from Australian Unity and Prof David Brown from UTS.
Approximately 60 people attended.
The continuum of care model is made up of independent living apartments, serviced apartments, and residential aged care on one campus.
While 30% of Australian retirement villages are co-located with residential aged care, few have serious serviced apartments (or assisted living as many Not for Profits term it), and the aged care home and staff are usually sectioned off in a separate building.
The Ryman and New Zealand model heavily emphasises the sharing of care staff and shared community facilities (like gymnasiums, swimming pools, gardens), creating greater efficiencies.
At the same time continuum of care residents are substantially delayed moving into higher care.
Amber Cartwright revealed her research that showed the average time in residential care in New Zealand is 20 months compared to 32 months in Australia, for which the continuum of care retirement villages claim a large role. Close to 70% of all beds in New Zealand are now located in retirement villages.
Cameron is keen to showcase Ryman villages in Melbourne to any operators who would like a tour to see how their systems work, and engage in a conversation.
We will be working with Cameron to help facilitate this – watch this space.
Photographed: Chris Baynes as moderator (DCM), Cameron Holland, David Brown, Bev Smith.
