Our independent living units offer one, two or three bedroom accommodation across a range of cottage, villa and unit settings. They are designed for older people who are actively independent and able to care for themselves.
Located within a fully maintained village setting, they offer an enhanced lifestyle in a relaxed community environment.
Please refer below for general information on our Independent Living Units.
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What is offered within Independent Living? |
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Our villages offer an enhanced lifestyle for older adults, with special emphasis being placed on upholding each individual's privacy and autonomy, in a relaxed, community environment.
Independent living offers older people the opportunity to live an independent lifestyle within a supportive, village setting. General administrative and maintenance services are provided by Southern Cross Care. Depending upon the location residents may also be able to access a range of other support services from Southern Cross Care and/or the broader community on a fee-for-service basis. |
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| 2. |
Who can live there? |
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Independent living accommodation is targeted at people over 55 years who are able to live independently. We have a range of accommodation available, including some rental units for people of limited means. |
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| 3. |
How do they gain access the accommodation? Is there a waiting list? |
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There is a waiting list for the Independent Living Units in our different locations. Intending residents should provide their details for inclusion on the waiting list for the specific village (or villages) they are interested in, including the year in which they anticipate wanting to access the accommodation. Each vacancy is offered to those in the current year listing, with a priority accorded to the earliest application. If an offer is refused another offer will be made on the next available vacancy. Note that if an applicant rejects three offers they will be removed from the list. |
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What will it cost to enter the Independent Living Accommodation? |
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People generally pay an entry contribution that varies with the location and amenity of the particular unit/Village. The contribution is usually made as an interest-free-loan, with a component to be retained by Southern Cross Care over the first five years of the occupancy.
As noted earlier Southern Cross Care also has some accommodation where no entry contribution is required -it is available on a rental basis only, and made available for older people assessed as having limited means.
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| 5. |
Are there any ongoing fees? |
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All residents pay a fortnightly rental via direct debit. This covers all expenses other than telephone, utilities (eg gas & electricity) and personal keep. |
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| 6. |
Can residents have visitors? |
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Yes. This is the resident's home, so they can welcome family or friends to stay short term. Longer terms stays may be arranged with management. |
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| 7 |
Can residents leave the accommodation for holidays etc? |
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Residents certainly can leave the unit to travel on holidays. The fortnightly rental is still paid during their absence. All we ask is that where residents will be away for more than one week they advise the Manager of their intended absence. |
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| 8. |
Can a resident have a pet? |
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Individual pets are generally not allowed given the shared nature of the Village. However, some pets have been allowed where they have been approved by the other residents of the Village. |
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| 9. |
Can a resident leave the accommodation to live somewhere else? |
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A resident can choose to leave our accommodation and move elsewhere - to other SCC accommodation, or that of another provider, or somewhere else in the broader community.
Within Southern Cross Care residents can by arrangement move to another unit/Village. They can also access, on a "first priority" basis, any of our Supported Living Apartment facilities, with no further capital payment required (see 11 below) but only after the resident has been assessed as needing residential care by the Aged Care Assessment Team.
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| 10. |
When is the entry contribution refunded? |
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All such dealings are carried out in keeping with the terms of the contract for occupancy and the requirements of the Retirement Villages Act. The entry contribution is refunded when the contract is terminated and the unit is permanently vacated. The refund is made within 2 weeks of another person subsequently occupying the unit, or within six months (at the latest) in other cases. |
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| 11. |
What happens if a resident moves from Independent Living to Residential care with Southern Cross? |
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To a Southern Cross Care Supported Living Apartment.
Within Southern Cross Care residents can access, on a "first priority" basis, any of our Supported Living Apartment facilities. Note however that the timing of the allocation of this accommodation is based upon need.
Existing residents can usually access our residential care without any further capital payment. Southern Cross Care will retain the loan component from the entry contribution, with those loan monies repaid to the resident when they leave residential care.
To another provider's residential care.
Such a move must be organised by the resident &/or their family (refer Question 10)
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| 12. |
Where can I get more information? |
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Further information is available through Southern Cross Care on 02 9632 3144. |
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