Seniors Housing Centre

Research has found that many Western Australian seniors and, families trying to assist them, have insufficient information when changing accommodation in their later years. Whether shifting residences, downsizing, entering into aged care, considering retirement villages or residential parks, or even finding rentals, many are unaware of their options, rights and the help available. Most alarmingly, many are making key decisions entirely on instinct.

For this reason, the Department of Commerce (Consumer Protection) created the Seniors Housing Centre which commenced in September 2011. While the Centre does not directly offer housing or financial and legal advice, it is an information gateway for seniors planning their housing future or trying to access the network available services. COTA WA was recruited after as a not-for-profit partner.

Since beginning our involvement in 2012, over 5700 seniors have been helped with personalized information or by attending the range of free community information seminars held throughout the metropolitan area. The seminars cover key questions and information about making accommodation changes, information about the variety of housing options, considerations for downsizing, accessing equity and reverse mortgages, low cost housing options, and even modifying one’s home for future needs.

The Department of Commerce and COTA WA are now pleased to advise that these seminars are now available to regional and rural districts. The presentations are suitable for service providers, seniors groups and clubs and of course families looking at housing options for themselves or parents.

The Seniors’ Housing Centre is pleased to offer this free service and can offer personalized information to help, or could even arrange one of their free information seminars for you. Please feel free to contact the Centre by dialing 1300 367 057, or via email on housing@cotawa.org.au

A summary of the seven talks is on the back of this sheet. All are about an hour long.

SENIOR’S HOUSING CENTRE

SUMMARY OF EACH TALKThe Making Informed Housing Decisions seminar provides an essential overview of the housing options available for seniors, covering key questions and information to ask while contemplating changes. Some of the areas covered are retirement villages, strata titles, granny flats, home modifications, residential aged care and more.

Both Retirement Villages and Residential Parks are called “Lifestyle Villages”… but knowing the difference, and what to expect from these communities, is vital before you sign anything. Come and learn about your rights, obligations, and what to expect in this free, in-depth seminar.

Downsizing– A Field Guide - This seminar aims to help you decide if downsizing is the correct option for you – examining alternatives, building a new place or modifying a purchase, and housing options such as strata titles and residential parks.

The Modifying Your Home seminar is an overview of the enormous range of services aimed at helping seniors stay in their homes for longer… ranging from home modifications and improvements, accessing carers and helpers, to new and exciting technologies that can improve your quality of life.

Alternative Options to owning a home- this seminar looks at some of the options available to Seniors seeking low cost housing solutions, ranging from Community and Affordable Housing, to Residential Parks, Boarding and Lodging, and forming new sharing agreements.

The Reverse Mortgages and Accessing Equity seminar is an independent guide to some of the financial products available for accessing the funds stored in your property, covering positive aspects of these services, risk factors and alternatives.

The Strata Title; downsizing to a different form of ownership seminar is an overview of what is strata title. Covering – Green or Purple; why colour makes a difference! Pluses and minuses of strata living, Strata Companies, Committees, Things to look out for; Strata managers – The Good, The Bad and the Ugly! Places to get more information and help.