It's important to know that retirees’ expectations of what their retirement years are going to look like are evolving. Having worked hard to achieve what they have by the time they retire, they aim to live full, rewarding and active lives well into their old age. They also have very specific ideas of the types of housing solutions that they would like to help them achieve this and the eco retirement village is becoming an increasingly appealing answer.
Greener housing options are a big draw for an aging generation that’s serious about environmental sustainability. This means that the retirement villages and communities that they are looking for need to include green processes and technologies.
Progressive housing solutions must embrace eco-friendly processes and technologies
‘Going green’ in your retirement villages and communities could mean including the following green building maintenance and sustainability features:
- Waste recycling systems that are convenient and accessible for residents to use. These include recycling systems for household garbage and compostable organic material. Here, adequate storage needs to be provided both inside and outside housing units in retirement villages so that the process remains hygienic and convenient.
- Installing solar panels and powered geysers into housing units to reduce the amount of electricity needed for heating water.
- Using geothermal heating and cooling systems: In winter, these systems transfer underground heat to buildings via a system of underground, looped pipes. In summer, the reverse happens, with heat being transferred from buildings back into the earth using a minimal amount of electricity.
- Planting communal vegetable gardens: This caters to green-fingered residents who love to garden and spend time outdoors. The added plus is a supply of fresh vegetables, grown in eco-friendly ways, to residents’ kitchens.
- Walkable eco retirement villages and communities encourage residents to use their cars less, which helps to reduce carbon emission levels and promotes the active lifestyle that seniors are now seeking.
Maintenance solutions for your eco retirement village
Another way to ensure you are supporting greener practices in your eco retirement village is by using building maintenance services that show a strong commitment to minimising and managing their environmental impact. Look for companies with an ISO 14001 certification in Environmental Management Systems that have the appropriate processes and policies in place for decreasing their environmental footprint and ensuring regulatory compliance.
For example, your painting maintenance supplier should make sure to use products that are safe for the environment. Contractors need to use painting and cleaning materials that are harmless to a property’s soil and any nearby waterways. Hazardous waste needs to be appropriately managed and safely removed from the site.
By having a clear understanding of your aged care community's health, safety and needs and incorporating green innovations into your eco retirement village, you can create a better environment that checks all the boxes for retirees.
“My past experiences with Higgins over the last eight years have always been very positive. They do a tremendous job, are always courteous to our residents and obliging to help with little extras. Higgins have a very professional crew, which I take great delight in working with.”
Michelle Tink, Administration, Caloundra Rise Retirement Estate
As the aging population increases, retirement facilities need to incorporate suitable and practical solutions for the future. Our comprehensive guide to future-proofing your retirement village will help you successfully establish future retirement homes with the right services and facilities to meet both current and anticipated needs. Download it now.
