Willoughby Retirement Community Association

About Willoughty Retirement Community Association

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Willoughby Retirement Community Association is a non-profit community association set up in the early 1970s on land donated by Willoughby City Council to provide accommodation and care for retired and aged people, with a priority for those from Willoughby and neighbouring areas.  Independent living and ageing-in-place with assisted care from on-site nursing staff is provided as required.

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How is Willoughby Retirement Community Association Village achieving its goals?

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The philosophy of WRCA is to create a living environment where residents are respected and accepted and where independence, to the extent possible, is encouraged to facilitate wellbeing and self-esteem. In addition, the WRCA Village is set in an ambient parkland setting.  A short walk from the self-contained units to the hostel is over a covered bridge across a creek frequented by ducks, echidnas and water dragons. Townhouses have a garden patio area; tower apartments have one or more balconies and hostel residents enjoy a balcony overlooking the nearby park or creek.

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How is WRCA funded?

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WRCA is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity.  Funding is sourced through the incoming resident contributions towards independent living units, government aged care subsidies, recurrent charges and donations.

 

What is Lenity Australia’s Involvement?

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Lenity Australia has made a grant to Willoughby Retirement Community Association to fund a refurbishment program at the Hostel. This grant is in acknowledgement and support of the Association’s care of, and commitment to, the aged in the Willoughby Council local community.

 

Some facts:

 

• The number of people globally aged 80 years or older will have almost quadrupled between 2000 and 2050 to 395 million.

 

• In Australia, it is estimated that by 2050 the number of people aged between 65 and 84 will more than double.  Those 85 and above will increase more than four times.

 

• 4,440 Australians turned 100 years old between June 2014-15.  That's an increase of 550 centenarians on the previous year.

 

• Australia currently has about 2,800 residential aged care facilities providing care to more than 160,000 elderly people.  By 2026 the number of residents is projected to reach more than 250,000; the highest area of growth will be among residents aged 95 or over; and the Aged Care Financing Authority has forecast an extra 76,000 aged care beds will be required in NSW over the next decade.

 

• Two centenarians currently reside at WRCA; the average age of WRCA’s hostel residents is 87; and 30% of WRCA’s 90 residents are male.

 

Willoughby LGA*

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• In 2006 the proportion of persons aged 60 years and over in the Willoughby LGA was 17.7%.

 

• 2011 Census figures indicate a 26% increase in the 60 to 69 age group in Willoughby.

 

• Access to affordable and suitable aged care accommodation is a key issue for older people in Willoughby LGA.  There is an increasing desire to stay in their familiar environment for as long as possible. 

 

*Willoughby City Council Housing Options for Retirees and Seniors;

  Willoughby City Council Community and Cultural Life Discussion Paper