Issue Date:  -  Wednesday, 2 June 1999

New retirement villages booklet

As part of its commitment to the Government's Five Year Plan on Ageing, the Ministry of Fair Trading has produced a new booklet titled "So you're thinking about moving into a retirement village?".

The booklet replaces the brochure "Retirement villages and the law: what you should know". It looks at the different accommodation options available to seniors and provides a useful checklist to help people compare the features of villages they may be considering.

Fair Trading Commissioner Pat Walker said the new booklet sets out very clearly what information the administering body of a retirement village is required to provide to residents and prospective residents.

"Deciding which village to live in is not an easy task. There are so many factors influencing a person's choice such as the village's proximity to family and level of emergency services."

"This booklet helps people work through the important decisions that need to be made and gives them guidance on which village best suits their needs," he said.

The booklet's release coincides with Aged Care WA's launching of a comprehensive guide to care and retirement accommodation in WA.

Copies of the booklet will be distributed with the accommodation guide to libraries, local councils, the Council on the Ageing and retirement villages throughout the state.

A senior ministerial advisory committee was established by the federal government to plan and coordinate events during the International Year of Older Persons.

The committee launched a Five Year Plan on Ageing titled 'Time on Our Side' in November last year which included a number of initiatives to be implemented during 1999.

The Ministry of Fair Trading will also be releasing an information kit on general fair trading issues specifically tailored to meet the needs of older persons.

A comprehensive review of the Western Australian retirement villages legislation is to be completed later this year with the views of key stakeholders and the general public being considered as part of the review.

People interested in getting a free copy of the accommodation guide should first go to their local library or council. Alternatively, they can ring the Office of Seniors Interests information service on 1800 199 087, the Council on the Ageing on ++61 8 9321 2133 or Aged Care WA on ++61 8 9443 8233.

Copies of the new retirement villages booklet can be obtained by calling 1300 30 40 54, or send an email to consumer@docep.wa.gov.au.