Abbeyfield: “I like the homely touches”
Abbeyfield resident Cath McKenzie.
Takaka’s Abbeyfield house, on the shores of Lake Killarney, is nearly three years old and is proving to be as popular and successful as everyone hoped it would be.
The world-renowned model of independent but supported living is especially attractive to people over 60 who are ready to move out of their own home into something that offers a high degree of independence, coupled with the security and fellowship of living in a community.
“It’s like living in a studio motel all the time,” said resident Cath McKenzie. “Except no motel I ever stayed in provided three excellent meals a day like the ones you get here.”
Cath was happy to show The GB Weekly around her own room and the communal facilities as well. Abbeyfield has a spacious lounge with a TV and a DVD player, a library, a large vegetable garden and smaller individual garden areas as well. The dining room and kitchen are immaculate and the meals are excellent.
“We have four veges with every evening meal,” said housekeeper Lynette Stewart. “But the residents serve themselves so they choose what they like and take as much as they want to.”
Abbeyfield encourages its residents to come and go as they please and to stay involved in the things they enjoy in the community. On the day we visited, Cath was just getting home from playing cards in the Senior Citizens’ Hall.
“I really like it here,” she said. “It’s a wrench leaving your own place but here there’s just the right balance of independence, privacy, company and security.”
Residents live in their own bed-sitting units with ensuites and pay $285 per week for the privilege. Eligibility for Abbeyfield is not means-tested.
Each unit has a heat-pump, drapes and carpet but the residents provide their own furnishings. The units have small kitchens with space for a microwave and small fridge if the residents require them.
Abbeyfield Golden Bay president Ann Jones said that anyone interested would be welcome to visit the house.
“Anyone on the committee will be happy to give guided tours to interested people,” said Ann. “Mostly we have 80-100% occupancy but just at the moment we have a vacancy so it’s a perfect time to find out what the house has to offer.”
Ann explained that anyone in the 60-plus age-group who is able to function independently is eligible.
“If you’re living at home, perhaps with some assistance, that can be brought with you to the house,” she said. “People who are still employed are eligible too. The Abbeyfield model works well for people of all ages.”
Prospective residents are required to have a trial period in the house, using the guest facilities.
“The guest room is great for when residents want family to come and stay as well, but anyone thinking of coming to Abbeyfield to live would need to know that it was going to be able to meet their needs,” said Ann. “The trial period places no obligation on either party, so it’s good.”
Ann said that, so far, preference has been given to Golden Bay residents or the families of Golden Bay residents.
“If people wanted to have their parents closer to them but still with their own space, Abbeyfield could be ideal.”
“I like the homely touches, like Lynette’s home-preserved fruit and our own veges fresh from the garden,” said Cath.
Interested people can contact Margaret on 525 6288 or Ann on 525 9547.
Neil Wilson
