New retirement village accreditation scheme
Australian seniors now have even more reason to think about making the move to a retirement village, with the recent launch of a new and improved retirement living accreditation scheme.
Australian seniors now have even more reason to think about making the move to a retirement village, with the recent launch of a new and improved retirement living accreditation scheme.
The new Lifemark Village Scheme ensures retirement village owners are accountable and responsive to residents – and gives residents confidence that their village is being managed ethically and professionally.
Unlike aged care, where accreditation is compulsory and government regulated, retirement village accreditation is voluntary and entirely industry driven; evidence of providers’ commitment to excellence.
The Lifemark Village Scheme contains the highest standards of any accreditation scheme in the industry’s history. It measures the most important aspects of village life including services, respect of dignity and safety.
“Lifemark goes well beyond an operator’s legal obligations. It recognises that consumers and governments expect human service industries to have high operational standards,” says Mary Wood, executive director of the Retirement Living Council.
“Lifemark delivers this – older Australians can trust that a Lifemark Village is well governed, comfortable and safe,” she adds.
More than 175,000 older Australians reportedly live in a retirement village, which is as many as who live in aged care facilities.
“An increasing number of older Australians are choosing to live in a retirement village because they offer independence, friendship and support.
“Retirement villages are communities of like-minded people who look out for each other, without living in each other’s pocket.”
The Lifemark Village Scheme will be run by BSI Australia, an auditing organisation. BSI Australia has experienced and independent auditors responsible for accrediting products and services in some of Australia’s largest companies, including Woolworths and McDonalds.
