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3rd October 2024
Navigating the Retirement Living Spotlight
Governance
How the Retirement Living Code of Conduct and Having Robust Policies and Practices Can Elevate Your Village Operations
The recent ABC 7.30 Report featuring Adele Ferguson has put the retirement living sector under the spotlight once again, highlighting several families’ distressing experiences with complicated contracts and unexpected financial outcomes. The segment raised concerns around transparency, pricing, and the overall consumer experience—factors that are critical to the reputation of retirement villages and the broader industry.
On the other side of the debate, Daniel Gannon, CEO of the Property Council of Australia, responded robustly, defending the sector and pointing to the many satisfied residents who view moving into a retirement village as one of the best decisions they have made. He emphasised that the vast majority of villages operate with integrity and provide an enriching, supportive environment for older Australians.
The discussion underscores the importance of demonstrating a commitment to transparency, quality, and consumer protection—areas that the Retirement Living Code of Conduct directly addresses. The Code, while voluntary, is a vital framework that signals your dedication to upholding residents’ rights and providing an environment that promotes trust and satisfaction.
Why Sign Up for the Retirement Living Code of Conduct?
Registering for the Code involves committing to principles that go above and beyond basic compliance. It’s about embedding best practices across your organisation, ensuring that residents feel secure, informed, and valued. When registering, several key aspects are reviewed, such as:
Ensuring Clear and Accessible Documentation: Do your contracts and disclosure statements clearly outline fees, charges, and conditions, helping residents and their families make informed decisions?
Supporting Residents’ Rights: Are policies in place to manage complaints, respect residents’ autonomy, and provide clarity on dispute resolution?
For operators looking to bolster their foundations and establish consistency, the Retirement Living Code of Conduct is a robust framework that can enhance trust, credibility, and service excellence.
Anchor Policy RV: Your Partner in Compliance and Best Practice
Navigating the requirements of the Code can seem daunting, particularly in maintaining up-to-date policies and ensuring that documentation aligns with the Australian Retirement Village Accreditation Scheme (ARVAS) Standards. That’s where Anchor Policy RV comes in.
Our comprehensive suite of policies and processes is fully aligned to support all seven ARVAS Standards that apply to retirement villages across Australia:
| Standard | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Standard 1 | Community Management: Governance frameworks that ensure effective oversight and village management. |
| Standard 2 | Human Resource Management: Policies to support staff training, recruitment, and development, ensuring a skilled and compliant workforce. |
| Standard 3 | Resident Entry & Exit: Processes that provide clarity, fairness, and transparency in managing resident agreements and transitions. |
| Standard 4 | Resident Engagement & Feedback: Tools and strategies to encourage meaningful resident participation, feedback, and continuous improvement. |
| Standard 5 | Community Environment, Services & Facilities: Policies that maintain high-quality amenities, service standards, and resident wellbeing. |
| Standard 6 | Safety & Security: Comprehensive safety procedures and risk management frameworks that prioritize the health and security of all residents. |
| Standard 7 | Resident Care: Guidance on delivering resident care services that promote independence, dignity, and choice. |
Whether you’re a small operator with a couple of villages or a larger provider looking to ensure consistency across your portfolio, we offer the complete package of policies and procedures to support your compliance, operational efficiency, and service quality.
Take Action Today: Strengthen Your Foundations
This is the perfect opportunity to sign up for the Retirement Living Code of Conduct and review your current policies and practices. It’s not just about meeting a standard—it’s about setting one. By registering, you demonstrate to prospective and current residents that you are committed to providing an exceptional living environment that is transparent, respectful, and built on a foundation of trust.
For more information on how Anchor Policy RV can assist you in achieving these goals, or to discuss a tailored solution for your villages, reach out to us today.
Download the Anchor Policy RV list HERE.
Contact the Anchor Policy Team at:
(02) 8610 1950