Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa May/ June 2020 | Page 56

RETIREMENT
Retirement post
Covid-19
How retirement villages have adapted to
Covid-19 & what the future looks like
ALYSSON WATT
S
outh Africa’s lockdown experience officially started
on 26 March. However, most retirement villages took
the wise decision to begin their lockdown at least 2
weeks prior. This prescient move has ensured the safety of
residents within almost all retirement villages across South
Africa.
The measures taken to ensure the protection of residents
and staff have varied from staff staying within retirement
villages for two-week periods then switching with another
shift for a further two- weeks, to village management
providing transport for their staff on a daily basis. As a further
measure, healthcare workers are screened twice daily for
temperature readings. All villages have significantly reduced
the number of visitors to the villages. Some measures have
included no visitors at all to limited visiting in a designed area
that is disinfected between visits.
The need for social distancing has resulted in an increased
use technology, especially Skype, Zoom and Whatsapp to
keep residents and families in touch. Frail care and dementia
care, being particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 has meant no
visitors for residents. However, to ensure that families can
keep in touch with their loved ones, village management take
video’s or photos daily to share with the resident’s group of
friends and family with updates on their care and wellbeing.
Villages have in the main lauded their suppliers assisting
them with providing PPE, hand sanitizer and food donations.
CEO of Flower Foundation, Johan Raubenheimer, especially
mentioned Feedem for not only providing little extra’s at
mealtime but also providing groceries to their residents.
Feedem is a leading catering supplier to the retirement village
sector. Raubenheimer’s voice got a little husky when he
spoke about the attitude and commitment of staff at Flower
Foundation and how they have provided so much more for
their residents during this difficult and challenging time.
Resident morale
We are social beings and need interaction to maintain a
healthy psyche which has been one of the most challenging
aspects for residents during lockdown irrespective of where
you live or the language you speak. Retirement Villages have
been innovative by running Bingo over the loudspeaker,
holding chair exercises in hallways and bible study and church
services via technology.
Everyone I spoke to mentioned how their staff have been
extraordinary. The levels of compassion and care provided has
helped reduce the stress experienced by residents to reduce
the feelings of isolation and lack of contact. But to ensure
staff are well looked after most villages have implemented
some interventions, such as relaxation therapy to ensure their
mental health.
Our world has shrunk to updates on covid-19, measures
about social distancing, how to keep busy in lockdown and
the pervasive hiss of hand sanitizer. A new globally reality
began in 2020, for retirement villages this reality changed
before the start of lockdown.
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MAY/JUNE 2020 SA Real Estate Investor Magazine
Rika Wolmarans, Director at Engo which has 20 villages in
the Free State with 2 794 residents with most of their villages
in small towns where there are no online deliveries mentioned
how admin staff are doing the shopping on behalf of
residents. A boer maak a plan, in true South African fashion.
Most disaster plans did not forecast for a global pandemic
which has meant everyone has been challenged to respond
together, to deal with constant curve balls with different
opinions, everyone becoming experts making it a difficult
course to navigate. Rayne Stroebel, Founder of Geratec and
supporter of the Eden Alternative mentioned that the current
pandemic is showing up our long-term care of older people
and highlights the opportunity to relook at the industry and
the world view of older people and what it means to be over
65. The discussion with Stroebel got me thinking of my views
and what my retirement would look like. What will yours look
like in this current dynamic?
Future of retirement villages
Recent statistics from Australia show that online queries on
retirement villages has increased with one retirement village
experiencing an increase of 300%. What does this mean? I
believe that the lockdowns will show people still living in their
large homes, that maintaining them without the assistance
of garden and cleaning services is a challenge, and so much
space is not necessary.
“The current pandemic is
showing up our long-term care
of older people and highlights
the opportunity to relook at
the industry and the world
view of older people and what
it means to be over 65.”
I will make a short mention of the financial aspects of
retirement. With the global economy in lockdown the impact
on retirement funds will be felt. This may result in people
having to put off retirement for a while longer and/or change
their expectations. As my grandmother was fond of saying:
Cut your coat according to your cloth which means spend
only what you can afford. Creating a more demand for
affordable retirement solutions.
I think there will be a resurgence in the demand for
retirement village living as the need for community,
healthcare support, security and lifestyle has become so
important during this pandemic. However, a word of caution.
Before venturing forth, take stock of your own needs and your
lifestyle and what your picture of retirement will mean to you.
When you have a clearer image of that, it makes it much easier
to find a village that will support your retirement aspirations
and lifestyle.
I was heartened after my numerous interviews to hear how
the retirement village sector have gone over and beyond to
support and care for their residents to ensure their safety and
health. It bodes well for the future.
On a personal note. We South Africans love to complain.
However, for the first time in ages there is a collective voice
and a collective experience irrespective of where one lives,
people are buying extra food for those begging and a
generosity of spirit that truly shows that we, South Africans are
all in this pandemic together. We should not lose sight of that
as we transition to a new normal, whatever that may look like.
SOURCES Flower Foundation, Engo & Geratec
SA Real Estate Investor Magazine MAY/JUNE 2020
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