TEXT Georgina Guedes PHOTOGRAPHS Supplied
The retirement home of yesteryear is no longer. Today, retired individuals (and those approaching retirement) are making their homes in retirement estates or even in amenity-rich destinations known as retirement resorts. These developments offer a range of services and facilities to rival any high-end lifestyle estate. In fact, some even occupy space in the same estates that younger families are drawn to, highlighting another trend in retirement accommodation – that of multigenerational living within one development.
“Today, retirees want a varied type of lifestyle that includes travel, cultural and intellectual stimulation, and sporting activities,” says Arthur Case, CEO of Evergreen Lifestyle, which has more than 600 units across six retirement villages in Gauteng and the Western Cape. “Many are still working in some capacity, so they want to be active and entertained.”
We took a look at some of the leading retirement destinations around South Africa (and one outside of our borders that might just appeal to South Africans) to discover exactly what the world of retirement looks like in 2019.
WESTERN CAPE
1. SOMERSET LIFESTYLE RETIREMENT
The Somerset is a luxury retirement village situated in Somerset West. It provides a tranquil and secure setting for over-50s who are still physically and mentally active. According to Rob Jones, sales and marketing manager at Somerset Lifestyle Retirement, the village has a number of services and amenities to cater to this residential profile. For dining, it has a coffee shop with café food, and the restaurant, which has an à la carte menu and bar, credits 15 meals to each resident’s account monthly.
There is a library and conference room, which can be booked for meetings, and a gym where residents can keep fit and trim. A heated pool is currently in planning. Basic clinic services and wellbeing checks are provided to all residents. Additional services are available for a fee as required. Care can be provided in the clinic or in the residential unit depending on the requirement.
Units are equipped with all mod cons, including fibre to the home, satellite television and a telephone system that enables free calls within the village. All units are equipped with the Call4CareTM Carephone emergency response system. Residents gain access to the village with a unique ID card, which can also be used to pay for the range of services internally, as the environment is cashless.
The village is protected by a 2,4 m-high electric fence and two-meter palisade fence. There is also a concrete beam beneath the fence as an anti-dig protection. thesomerset.co.za
2. QUADRANT GARDENS
Situated in Claremont, Cape Town, the mixed-use lifestyle development Quadrant offers luxury urban retirement to the over-60s. It comprises 75 apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom penthouse units, and is set to be completed in the first half of the year.
Quadrant Gardens is the fourth and final phase of The Quadrant, a lifestyle development in Claremont that combines apartments with restaurants, shops and offices, while also offering personal grooming and wellness facilities, and a gymnasium with a 25 m-long indoor pool.
Quadrant Gardens itself offers residents a rooftop terrace with a recreational area and croquet court, an in-house restaurant, open-plan bar, private courtyard garden, lounge, library and on-site care centre. Services such as laundry and housekeeping, 24-hour security, meals, in-apartment care level options, and 24-hour emergency call response are also offered.
The neighbouring Library Square and Life Kingsbury Hospital offer easy access to emergency, high-care and surgical facilities, as well as over 30 specialist consultants. quadrantgardens.co.za
3. VAL DE VIE EVERGREEN RETIREMENT VILLAGE
The addition of the Val de Vie Evergreen Retirement Village to the broader Val de Vie Estate has delivered true multigenerational living. The estate was named the Best Multigenerational Estate in the World at The Global Awards ceremony held in London in December 2018.
Fleet Coffee Roastery on the estate has become a surprising hub where residents can be found working on their computers, people holding social or business meetings or just grabbing a coffee on the way to the office. The leisure activities are suitable for a wide range of people, but there is no segregation at the many fitness and social areas.
Young and old are involved in groups for walking or running. The recently completed dog parks allow the community and their pets to get together in a casual outdoor environment. What’s more, the Val de Vie Foundation supports the local community and offers an opportunity for anyone who has a desire to help or who has skills like teaching to become involved in upliftment projects.
The recent construction of the Polo Village Office has attracted many professionals to the estate, including medical doctors, beauticians, accountants and lawyers. The retirement development will obviously have its own facilities, such as a clubhouse, bowling lawns, library, swimming pool and restaurant. This will be the only area of the estate that will be dedicated exclusively to the older generation. valdevie.co.za
4. EIGHTONN
EIGHTONN is a boutique independent living development by Blok in Sea Point. It offers spacious two- and three bedroom apartments for residents aged 50 and older who are looking for a future-facing modern home in the city.
EIGHTONN features facilities like a rooftop wellness studio and pool, a deli and a social area leading out onto a beautiful garden. It also offers a holistic care package that includes an on-site building manager and care services that accommodate the current and future needs of residents. In keeping with modern building features, the development also offers security services, high-speed internet, and water-wise fittings and appliances. blok.co.za/developments/eightonn
5. BUH-REIN RETIREMENT VILLAGE
The award-winning Buh-Rein Estate in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town now caters for the full spectrum of the market with the introduction of the Buh-Rein Retirement Village in November. The 87-hectare estate offers a multipurpose sports field, family restaurant, cycling and jogging paths, open-air gymnasium as well as a future convenience centre with Checkers as anchor tenant.
Security is ever-present. The village offers assisted-living and independent-living apartments, and also a care centre for both frail-care and memory-care patients. The whole village is wheelchair friendly, with convenient elevator access on all floors.
There will be a lifestyle centre with two restaurants, a deli, library, gymnasium, hobby rooms, salon, indoor heated pool as well as an indoor and outdoor braai area. A bowls lawn is also included, and for the retirees with “green fingers” there will be an immaculate herb and vegetable garden. buhreinretirement.co.za
6. ZEVENWACHT LIFESTYLE ESTATE
Zevenwacht Lifestyle Estate for over-50s, which borders Zevenwacht Wine Estate, offers 99 freestanding homes and 54 independent-living apartments. At the clubhouse, residents can enjoy picturesque views and relax in front of one of the fireplaces on chilly days. All residents enjoy the benefit of discounts at the prestigious Zevenwacht Wine Estate and the array of facilities on offer such as the spa, wine tastings and restaurant. The estate promotes an active social calendar and has its own shuttle for regular excursions.
Medwell SA manages the health-care centre with assisted-living suites and 10 beds for those in need of frail care. There is a coffee shop for visitors. zevenwacht-lifestyle-estate.co.za
7. THE VILLAGE AT LANGEBAAN COUNTRY ESTATE
Currently on sale, with construction to commence this year, the 323-home retirement village at Langebaan Country Estate on the Cape West Coast will be part of a dynamic community, with all the established comforts, facilities and activities within the existing estate accessible to mature residents, with the addition of full frail-care and assisted living facilities.
Langebaan Country Estate already accommodates families with young children, couples, semi-retired people and corporate commuters. The Village will offer world-class hospitality and technology, along with village and home maintenance, upkeep and refurbishment. It will provide access to gyms, golf, bowling, running and cycling trails, two swimming pools and art classes. langebaanestate.co.za
GAUTENG & KZN
1. WATERFALL VALLEY MATURE LIFESTYLE ESTATE
Just 10 km north of the Sandton CBD, between Woodmead and Kyalami, lies the 24-hectare Waterfall Valley Mature Lifestyle Estate, which offers the over-50 resident an upmarket, secure lock-up-and-go lifestyle in a resort-like environment.
Waterfall Valley Mature Lifestyle Estate has a wide array of facilities. The clubhouse offers panoramic views of the valley, river, natural greenbelts and chipping and putting greens is the social core of the development. It boasts a 100-seat movie theatre, multifunction ballroom, library, multiple lounges, an elegant restaurant and ladies bar, fully equipped gym with steam rooms and pool.
For the more active and outdoor retirees, the estate offers 37 km of walking paths along the scenic river. Tennis courts, bowls, croquet, a horticultural centre, arts and crafts studio, hair dresser, billiards room, cigar lounge, delicatessen, health spa and even a travel agent. The estate provides specialised doctors and nurses on call 24 hours a day. Permanent on-site nursing staff may provide assisted living services to residents from within their homes, or refer residents to the fully equipped care centre facility – which is located at the sister estate Waterfall Hills. waterfall-estate.co.za/developments/waterfall-valleymature-lifestyle-estate
2. LIVEWELL VILLAGE
Livewell Village in Bryanston (there’s another in Somerset West) is a specialised purpose-developed residential facility that provides care for people with dementia. The village provides a comprehensive range of services to support families and provide a comfortable and nurturing environment for residents.
“We created the Livewell Villages as a result of heartfelt concern for the dignity and care of South Africans with dementia and a strong need for specialised individual care facilities in this country. They have been designed with the health, dignity and well-being of the person living with dementia in mind,” says Ivan Oosthuizen, chief executive officer of Livewell Group.
The Livewell Villages have been specially designed to provide enabling and stimulating environments for people living with various stages of dementia, in addition to around-the-clock carers who are meticulously screened and specifically trained in caring for individuals with impaired memory and cognitive function. A team of companions also keep residents company through an activity plan that has been specially designed by Livewell’s occupational therapists. Pets are welcome. livewell.care
3. THE RETREAT RETIREMENT ESTATE
The Retreat Retirement Estate in Hazeldean, Pretoria East, offers two- and three-bedroom freestanding homes with private gardens, as well as apartments. It offers three indoor swimming pools, a gym, a steam room, a library, and a clubhouse where meals can be provided. There is also a social club with a variety of activities to keep residents busy, including, bridge, billiards, crochet, Pilates and bingo. The Retreat offers a fully operational frail-care centre, on site medical services and 24-hour emergency assistance. crafthomes.co.za/properties/the-retreat
4. LAZULI LIFESTYLE AND RETIREMENT ESTATE
Lazuli Lifestyle and Retirement Estate for the over-50s is located at Port Zimbali on the North Coast, with Zimbali Coastal Estate as its neighbour. Its focus is sophisticated retirement with holistic wellbeing, offering an abundance of walking trails through conservation and wetland areas. Estate facilities will include a residents clubhouse complete with heated lap pool, private gym, sauna, steam room, business centre and relaxation lounge, where residents can socialise.
The recently launched Sentinel Hill apartment block will contain a health and wellness centre for temporary medical recuperation of patients. The estate is pet-friendly and offers a range of accommodation options: one- to three bedroom apartments, semi-detached units and freestanding homes with their own gardens. Some have the option of private pools. There is 24-hour on-site security. lazuliestate.co.za, lakes.zimbali.co.za
MAURITIUS
LES RESIDENCES DE MONT CHOISY
Les Residences de Mont Choisy is a resort-style estate on the island of Mauritius, a stone’s throw from the cosmopolitan town of Grand Baie. It caters for maturing couples, with a combination of housing and services that allows residents to be independent but also to enjoy the convivial common areas that are adapted to the needs of seniors.
It incorporates swimming pools, a restaurant, spa, fitness facilities, beauty salon, bar lounge, a wellness centre with a hammam and sauna, and a creative studio for painting, arts and crafts. Residents have the option to subscribe to the Espace Club, where they can relax, entertain and socialise with friends and family The lounge/library has a computer with internet access and a television, and activities such as bridge, scrabble and card tournaments can be arranged. All apartments have free internet access. A nurse is available on site, and there is a 24/7 emergency service offering assistance in and out of residence. residencevillasmontchoisy.com
