Village life AT ITS BEST
WITH 31 FRIENDLY VILLAGES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, RYMAN OFFERS THE BEST IN RETIREMENT
Moving to a retirement village means a multitude of avenues open up for retirees, says Ryman Healthcare Group Sales and Community Relations Manager Debbie McClure. “Instead of seeing it as losing their independence, their lives should be much freer to do the things they enjoy with the people they enjoy doing them with, and doing as much or as little as they wish,” says Debbie. “Residents are free to potter in their gardens, of course – it’s more the sense that it’s not something they have to do. In the 27 years I’ve worked for Ryman, I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t glad to give up mowing the lawns,” she laughs. Many residents find themselves trying their hand at something new. This could be anything from Ryman’s own in-house tailored exercise programme Triple A, learning the piano, bowls, tinkering in the workshops or simply spending time in the library. There is plenty of support for residents wanting to “It’s the connections that are made, the common interests. “It makes me quite emotional when I walk around our villages and I see people who have taken others under their wings,” she says. Residents also have the peace of mind knowing that if more assistance is needed, organise their own social event too, even if that’s just watching a movie in the village theatre. “We can provide the facilities but it’s the residents who make it a community and that’s just so lovely to see.” That strong sense of community is one thing all Ryman villages have in common, says Debbie. it can be provided without another stressful move. “It’s insurance really, for your future,” says Debbie. “It’s comforting to know that if your circumstances change, how lovely to be able to stay in the community where everyone knows you and your family.” And family and friends are always welcome at the village, be it overseas relatives visiting or grandchildren invited to the village’s annual summer children’s party. The best way to see if village life is for you is to go and take a look for yourself, tells Debbie, who says she often hears residents say they wish they’d moved in sooner. “Go with your gut and your heart because it’s how you feel when you visit a retirement village that’s important.”
‘It’s the residents who make it a community – it’s just lovely to see’