Retirement Living residents have a higher quality of life than other Australians over 60 years of age.

A new study validates the positives of community life, contrasting recent media stories that criticise elements of the retirement living industry.

Over 12,000 respondents from around Australia were asked to rate their quality-of life-on:

• Physical health
• Independence
• Activities
• Feeling safe
• Companionship
• Sense of purpose
• Access to support
• Finances
• Feelings or thoughts about the future
• Mental health

The aggregate score on these ten measures is a new Wellness Index summarising quality-of-life for different groups. Study findings compare Retirement living residents with those who intend to stay at home, those who have already downsized, those still thinking about downsizing and renters. [UNABLE TO UPLOAD TABLE]

The Wellness Index for those in Retirement Living (77.5) is significantly higher than the average for all Australians over 60 years of age (71.3).

Quality-of-life is higher for Retirement Living residents compared with those staying at home and those who have already downsized to a smaller residence. Those who rent have the lowest Wellness Index, partly driven by their poor financial circumstances.

Retirement Living residents have a much more favourable perspective on safety, companionship and access to support. This data is backed up by hundreds of comments confirming resident satisfaction with community life:

“There is a positive ambience, a sense of safety, good community spirit and neighbourly support” – Male, 76 – 80

“I love living in such a caring & friendly community. There is a true sense of belonging here – Female, 61 – 65

Data from The Catalyst Report shows that on average, a move to Retirement Living does not impact negatively on financial wellbeing. The average Retirement Living resident’s self-assessment on financial quality-of-life (7.1) compares favourably to those who might yet downsize (6.7). Anecdotal feedback indicates many community-living residents benefit from unlocking the value of their home.

“We sold up for a nice profit and moved into a low-maintenance village unit with money left over for a holidays and living the good life” – Female, 70 – 75

The retirement living industry faces reputational challenges, some of which are legitimate concerns. This new data provides independent verification that community living offers a range of quality-of-life positives. These plus-factors should not be over-shadowed by sensationalised media stories.