Promoting independence in Canberra

The federal Housing Minister officially opened the second stage of a lifestyle village designed to enable independence.

Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek at the opening.

The federal Minister for Housing was at Goodwin Ainslie in Canberra earlier this week to officially open stage two of a new lifestyle village.

The independent living units have been designed to accommodate ageing in place, based on the Apartments for Life model developed by Dr Hans Becker in the Netherlands.

The village is made up of to and three-bedroom apartments and villas which can support older people as their needs change.

They contain design features for people with limited mobility, vision or flexibility.

“The Apartments for Life model is one which is being used with great success overseas because it gives people more housing options in their senior years,” Minister Plibersek said.

Goodwin’s Chairman, David Harper said the company was proud to be offering quality housing for independent older people alongside its aged care homes.

“We want to help older people live independently and remain active for as long as they possibly can, so these new apartments are designed to facilitate that by supporting their changing physical and social needs,” Mr Harper said.     

“Rather than having to choose between staying in a family home which may be too large for them, doing battle with other buyers in the tight housing market for an unsuitable unit, or moving into an aged care home, this model offers seniors a better choice.”

The village will also feature a lifestyle club where residents can meet with their families and friends.

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