This golden generation of retirees has created a new housing market: downsizers who don’t want the simple life. 7plus.com.au @ErinEdwards7 #7News

After four years of operation, a pilot program has convincingly shown that capital and operational costs of delivering aged care into a community of houses are comparable to traditional aged care. So since September last year the first residents have started moving into what has been dubbed an “aged care micro-town”.

Rose, 92, who lives at NewDirection Care (Australia’s first aged care microtown in Bellmere, Queensland) has a special bond with her daughter-in-law Karen, which they will be celebrating on Mother’s Day this Sunday.

An alternative aged care model with a focus on wellness, “revolutionary non-institutionalised schedules, services and lifestyle options” for Australian seniors with complex care needs, including those with younger onset dementia, was named a finalist in the recent and prestigious SilverEco and Ageing Well International Awards.

Queensland-based NewDirection Care has recently announced a $35 million aged care microtown™ community for people with complex care needs including those with younger onset dementia.