LASA CEO Sean Rooney on the way forward for the village sector

The LASA CEO has been an outspoken voice on the need for 2018 to be a “year of action” for the aged care sector – and retirement living is also on his agenda.

He tells us “LASA Retirement Village Members are committed to continuous improvement.”

Last year, its members identified some key themes to inform the way forward:

• Residents report that they live in retirement villages as a matter of choice and preference and appreciate the lifestyle, security, and social connectedness that this brings to their lives.
• Language and terminology is confusing and inconsistent with other similar legislative frameworks. More meaningful and consistent language across the various state-based Retirement Village Acts would reduce this.
• Residents, and their peak bodies, have identified that there are significant benefits in living in the village environment.
• The retirement living industry contributes significant benefits to Australia’s current and future economy.

Mr Rooney says that LASA has raised with Commonwealth and State Ministers the scope for more consistent language across the different regulatory systems in the States and Territories for retirement living.

“This could assist consumers to better understand the service offerings on a more consistent basis,” he said.

He also points to the new national Retirement Living Code of Conduct initiated by LASA, ACSA and the Property Council as a key initiative.

“The Code is vital for the industry to set a high level of standards for the marketing, selling and operation of retirement communities, to promote and protect the interests of residents, and provide a clear framework for resolving disputes within a community. Once the Code is finalised, our three organisations will promote it to the more than 3,000 retirement communities across the country and be strongly encouraging them to sign up and commit to the standards, to demonstrate their commitment to their residents.”