How many meetings are held when a new operator buys an existing retirement village? A lot.

Throughout the past 88 years, SA Not for Profit Resthaven’s core business has been aged care – providing care, support and accommodation in residential aged care homes, and for almost 30 years, supporting older people living in their own homes.

Retirement living had been a small component of the service offering until recently. The decision to expand Resthaven’s retirement living portfolio reflects the strategic objectives of planned and considered growth, and the need for a diversification of revenue streams.

On 1 February, Resthaven took ownership of 12 small retirement villages across metropolitan Adelaide from Not For Profit provider ACH Group. The villages were offered for sale by Expressions of Interest through Colliers in October 2022.

“This acquisition of 123 retirement units across 12 villages increases Resthaven’s retirement living portfolio by 40%, to a total of 409,” CEO Darren Birbeck (pictured) said.

ACH Group held a meeting prior to the change of ownership, to which all affected residents were invited, along with Resthaven senior management. At this meeting, both Chief Executive Officers (Darren and ACH Group’s Frank Weits) and senior executives outlined the process involved, introduced the new management team from Resthaven, and invited questions.

To reduce resident concerns, a detailed set of questions and answers was given to all attendees, along with relevant information about Resthaven, as the new owner. Copies were later dispatched to those residents who were not able to attend the meeting.

Resthaven’s Executive Manager Residential and Retirement Living, Tina Cooper; Senior Manager Accommodation and Residential Funding, Anthea Tyler; and Manager Maintenance Services, Heath Sumner visited all 12 ACH Group sites prior to the meeting to familiarise themselves and attended the meeting to discuss and questions or concerns with the residents.

Subsequently, the retirement living team have re-visited all 12 sites to introduce themselves and answer queries on several occasions.

Resthaven has also reviewed working operations to accommodate the expanded number of villages, including expansion of the Retirement Living team, introducing a new maintenance request system and a new enquiry number.

No ACH Group staff were affected by the acquisition and Resthaven has recruited additional staff in maintenance and retirement living.