practical living
Creating communities
ClarkeHopkinsClarke
is advocating for the
development of hybrid
facilities that integrate aged
care accommodation with
retirement living units.
By James Kelly
A
geing is increasingly being viewed positively in our
society. Life expectancy is trending in a steady upward
direction, and the gap between male and female life
expectancy is narrowing.
Those entering retirement often have many healthy and active
years to live before reaching an age of dependency in which they
require a high level of care. The late British historian Peter Laslett,
who was regarded as an advocate for positive ageing, described
this period as “the third age: an era for personal achievement
and fulfilment after retirement”.
The Productivity Commission’s statistics around access to
aged care further reinforce the concept of the third age. The
average age at which Australians access high care services is
steadily increasing and currently sits at around 83 years of age.
Overall, fewer older people are moving into aged care (as a
percentage of population) and the average length of stay in
aged care facilities is 2–3 years. Aged care is therefore evolving
towards becoming a limited, end-of-life service.
These statistics reflect the fact that the mere concept of being
considered “aged” has for many taken on an objectionable
meaning and implication. The traditional approach to the
18 agedcareinsite.com.au
location and design of retirement living facilities is out of
step with these trends, with the current typology of ‘gated’
retirement living facilities located on the periphery of residential
communities only reinforcing the negative perceptions of
ageing. It is also out of step with the self-perceptions, needs
and expectations of those requiring aged care services, who are
often active members of their communities and would rather
avoid being labelled ‘aged’.
At ClarkeHopkinsClarke we are working with our clients to
respond to the changing demands of the market and we are
advocating for the development of hybrid facilities that integrate
aged care accommodation with retirement living units. Combining
residential aged care with retirement living enables greater
integration of built form with surrounding residential buildings and
contributes to housing diversity, enabling people to stay within
their community and within a short distance of their partner and/or
social network should they require advanced care over time.
We are also working with our clients to achieve greater
integration of these facilities within neighbourhood settings.
Positioning retirement communities at the heart of new master-
planned developments has the potential to better address the
needs of older Australians while also introducing a greater level
of amenity to new communities.
This approach is demonstrated by ClarkeHopkinsClarke’s recent
project for Baptcare, an integrated living community in Lalor, an
outer metropolitan suburb of Melbourne. The project comprises
135 retirement living residences adjacent to a 120-bed aged-
care facility, and forms part of Mosaic Village, a contemporary
residential development which includes apartments and
townhouses aimed at families and young professionals. The village