For too long, the idea of a ‘retirement home’ has carried the image of living a slower life. Today, a growing number of South Africans over 60 are flipping that idea on its head. Trans-50 is helping to effect this change through our five vibrant lifestyle villages across the country in Gauteng, Kimberley, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and Cape Town.
Rather than being seen as a last resort, our communities are designed to offer freedom, flexibility, and dignified living for over-60’s, while removing the pressures of home ownership. For many, this is not about ‘slowing down’ but rather about choosing lifestyle over limits.
Knowing when to downsize
One of the most common turning points for individuals is when the family home starts to feel too vast, empty, or costly. “When a house and the garden become too big, that’s often the first sign,” says Ernest Nagel, a resident at Trans-50’s Acacia Park in Kimberley. He explains that rising maintenance costs can eat away at a person’s savings and energy, ultimately leading to a strain on resources.
Others may make this decision once their children have left home, leaving a space that feels more like a burden than a haven. Another resident, Henry Janse van Vuuren, from Panorama Palms, puts it simply: “There is no real right time, but the sooner the better after the age of 55, once your children leave the house and it becomes an effort to maintain the big space.”
Both residents agree that a common misconception is that moving into a community village is something reserved for older generations. In reality, making the transition earlier often opens up opportunities to live fully while you still have great energy.
Why earlier is better
Moving into a lifestyle community earlier allows residents to enjoy the best of both worlds: independence and support. Our villages are designed with the community at the heart of the plans under the care of skilful staff, with a lot to participate in: library, common interest groups, gyms, and social events.
Ernest adds that these connections are easier to build while you’re younger and socially active. “You easily form part of a community that looks out and cares for each other.”
Henry agrees: “You adapt easily to your new living circumstances and get involved in the social activities at an earlier age.”
Both Trans-50 residents highlight the peace of mind they have knowing that health care and support services are on hand when needed, but not imposed.
Lifestyle benefits that aid your finances
The financial advantages of downsizing are another plus factor that can’t be ignored. Village homes, particularly Life Right units, remove the worry of unpredictable maintenance costs. “You no longer have to worry about rising maintenance costs when you opt for a Life Right unit. The Village takes care of maintenance at their expense,” says Ernest.
Henry adds that moving earlier can also be a sound investment decision, noting, “You save money on the purchase by doing it earlier, as prices are always rising in community villages. Getting in early means you will have more capital to live off.”
Top four questions to ask before moving
- What lifestyle amenities are available?
- What are the different living options, and how flexible is the move between them?
- How does the Life Right model or pricing structure work?
- What support services are included, and how do they balance independence with assistance?
Your home. Your pace. Your support
Perhaps the greatest shift is in redefining what life in these communities looks like. Far from feeling isolated, residents describe bustling calendars of activities, opportunities for volunteering and the joy of being surrounded by like-minded peers.
“You will form part of a community,” Ernest says, “and when you age, you will already be among people you know.” That sense of belonging, coupled with the safety of secure villages and personalised support, provides emotional reassurance for both residents and their families.
For many, choosing to move at 60 is not about ‘slowing down’ but about taking control of the next chapter of life, one that’s filled with friendship, purpose, and freedom from the stress of looking after a large property.
For many South Africans entering their 50s and 60s, the choice is no longer about retirement, but about lifestyle, and the message is increasingly clear. Life doesn’t end at 60; it starts there.
Deciding on that special place to satisfy your needs in older age is probably one of the most important decisions you will make, but how does one go about finding the perfect retirement spot? Find out how here.
Much research has been done on the course and cause of Alzheimer’s disease, yet it is only once you care for someone with the disease that you become aware of the devastating grasp of this monster. Dementia is an umbrella term for a variety of subtypes of neurocognitive disorders, of which Alzheimer’s disease is most prevalent. Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia are of increasing relevance as populations are ageing globally and the age-related nature of Alzheimer’s disease means that the incidence of the condition is increasing. Alzheimer’s disease presents with a variety of challenges, not just for the person with the disease, but for those providing care.
Kitwood (1997), a social psychologist, reiterates the importance of using a holistic approach to the management of dementia as there is great interplay between the neurological damage and the psychosocial environment. The psychosocial environment and our care approach have a direct influence on the wellbeing of the person with dementia.
Understanding the person with Alzheimer’s disease is crucial, whether treating an unrelated problem or treating symptoms of the disease directly. Trans-50 focuses on the following aspects that are vital to providing special care to persons with the disease: the environment, knowledge of the person, purposeful engagement and mindfulness.
At Trans-50 it is of utmost importance to us to firstly understand who the person behind the disease is. This includes an initial person-centred care assessment to establish past and present likes, dislikes, routines, favourite meals, hobbies, experiences, skills and interests. Understanding the biography and history of the person allows us a greater understanding of the individual.
Kitwood refers to this concept as “personhood” which is defined as “a standing or a status that is bestowed upon one human being, by others” and implies recognition, respect and trust. This forms the cornerstone of our approach toward being able to provide support services and care for a person with dementia.
Secondly, people with dementia need an environment that allows easy access, familiar objects and adequate wayfinding which in turn encourages independence and autonomy. When creating dementia enabling environment, aspects such as lighting, colour, signage, accessibility, familiarity and safety should be paramount, including an allowance for sensory enhancement and participation. The environment should entice the older adult to continue participating in activities of daily living, for example, washing up of dishes, cleaning and cooking or baking. These skills and abilities remain long after the onset of the disease and should be encouraged. Forming part of our enabling environment is multisensory rooms (MSR) or environments which allow residents to relax or interact with and control the elements within the room. It creates a sense of control and allows the person with dementia or the person with a disability, to change and influence their environment in a positive way. Although research on the use of MSR in elder care is limited, we have experienced that this environment can improve a person’s mood, have a calming effect on those experiencing aggression, anxiety or disruptive behaviour and improve communication and enhance interpersonal interactions.
To support the concept of purposeful participation, it is important to know the person behind dementia – and that is what person-centred care is all about. Engagement in activities that are purposeful, allows people to feel good about themselves, brings meaning and purpose and helps them to experience a sense of belonging. People with dementia can engage in activities in different ways and at various levels. Activities are adapted to suit the functional level of the person involved. Activities range from gardening, baking, pet interactions, exercise, crafts, doll therapy, music therapy, volunteering and many, many more.
The most important aspect of providing dementia care is to embrace and practise being mindful. Mindfulness is the act of focussing on the present and being conscious and aware of what is happening in that given moment while also accepting your own feelings and thoughts. Mindfulness allows us to focus on the individual and often the lucidness that may be experienced in a single moment and acknowledge the persons’ current experiences and emotions, allowing them to feel validated. Validation allows us to connect with the person with dementia and places emphasis on the emotional aspects of conversations and less on the factual content or correctness thereof. By validating the person, you show respect for the person and his/her feelings. It is of great importance to validate a person with dementia, allowing them to feel heard, acknowledged and valued, rather than dismissed, marginalised or slotted into a general routine of one size fits all. Validation is closely linked to mindfulness and rather than attempting to deter or ignore irrational behaviour, it allows us to be present and accept without asking why.
Providing care to residents with dementia requires us to join them in their reality, rather than diverting them back to ours. By entering the world of the person with dementia we can assist in reducing the immense feeling of anxiety, allowing the person to experience a sense of security, empathy and trust.
In conclusion, remember to provide dementia training and support to your care employees. This will include the rotation of staff to prevent burnout within the care environment. Staff partake in fun activities and should also be mindful of their tolerance threshold and communicate openly with management when they suspect they might be suffering from caregiver burnout. An inviting, warm and comfortable staff room, away from the unit, allows staff to re-energise during break times. We also encourage employees and family to spend some time relaxing in the sensory room to soft music or a darkened room to dull the senses and create a more relaxed environment.
Christi Louw
National Care Director
