Jo and Pieter Blok decided to move into the first continuum of care retirement village by the New Zealand-based provider Summerset in Melbourne due to wanting to stay close to their church and friends.
After considering a few floor plans from the range of homes available at Summerset Cranbourne North, they settled on a first-floor townhouse, offering an expansive view over Hilltop Park Reserve and stunning sunrises. It wasn’t just a new home the couple were after, they also wanted to future proof.
Summerset offer retirement living with aged care on site. The aged care facility in Cranbourne North is nearing completion. The homes are specifically designed for the needs of over 70s.
“The village was within the same area that we lived in, close to our friends and church. Knowing care will be on site is a good thing we look forward to,” Jo said.
“My husband has Parkinson’s and I’ve been his carer for quite a few years. The arthritis in my ankles was getting worse, and I couldn’t manage walking around too much. Our last place had an incline to get to the front door.
“Now, there’s no garden to worry about, and I use the lift in our home all the time because of my ankles. My husband uses the stairs and stays fit that way.”
The Blok’s two-bedroom townhouse was the perfect fit to accommodate a large mechanical bed. Set in an idyllic location bordering the village, residents of these homes enjoy large balconies and have both stairs and a lift to ensure mobility doesn’t hinder the living options of anyone wanting a home with a beautiful view. Complete with open plan living, master bedroom with ensuite and a second toilet for visitors. townhouses offer peace and privacy with all the conveniences and community that comes with village living.
“What I really like about our home is that we get to see the sky from wherever we are. We’ve always lived in an area where we can see lots of sky and in a townhouse, I think that’s one of the biggest assets. We see lovely sunrises,” Jo said.
“The fact that the electricity, maintenance and everything is taken off in an automatic payment is great, so you’ve got no bills except for your own personal stuff, that’s a great benefit.”
Moving at any stage can feel daunting, but once you find the right home and you’re settled in, things fall into place.
“It’s a big change but we’re glad that we did it when we did it and not left it a little bit later,” Jo said.
Moving also means meeting new neighbours who quickly become friends.
“We have terrific people here. We have get-togethers and a good old laugh. There’s afternoon teas and happy hour, pool if you want a game, and there’s always a puzzle going in the library,” Jo said.