At Ocean Gardens, we understand the significance of your decision, but rest assured – while this is new to you, we’ve been guiding people thought life’s next stage since the 1980s.
What we’ve learnt in our time is that knowledge is what really matters. When you have a clear mind about what you’re giving up and what you’re gaining, making the move, when you’re ready, will feel right.
We know you have a lot of questions, so we’ve answered a list of the most commonly asked below. We hope we can shine a light on this exciting time for you and change your view on life’s next stage.
The resident would be required to pay the operating costs in compliance with the covenants of the lease and Village rules.
Each month (in advance in the first week of every month) residents will be required to pay to the Board, the ”operating costs” attributable to their particular unit.
This fee is calculated by dividing the total budgeted operating costs by the number of units and apartments within the Retirement Village.
The operating costs of the Village comprise those items of expenditure defined in the lease. The Annual Budget is prepared in consultation with representatives from the Residents Association and recovery rates are prescribed to yield during the year from the residents the estimated cost of maintaining and running the Village.
Rates payable to the Water Authority, the local authority and any other rates and taxes imposed are billed to each resident separately.
The premium and other costs payable by the resident to enter the Retirement Village are:
- The cost of purchasing the Lease of the particular selected unit. The price of units does vary.
- The Lease Bond may include a carport for exclusive use of the resident.
- An Administration fee will be payable to cover the cost of processing lease documentation, preparing statements and settlement.
- The resident will be required to arrange a consumer’s agreement with the energy provider and pay any costs incurred.
- The resident will be required to arrange for telephone connection and pay any costs incurred.
Additional or optional services are provided for the residents of the Self-Care units at Ocean Gardens and are charged at rates prescribed by the management.
These services include laundry, cleaning, programmed personal care, shopping, restaurant dining or meal delivery, Hairdressers, Podiatrist, Kiosk, Photocopying and Secretarial Service. A schedule of some of these services is attached to the Lease.
Residents entering the Village are provided with a comprehensive “Welcome Wallet” which describes all the amenities and services available and where applicable, the charges.
These details can be made available on request by interested persons.
The operations budget is designed so that the fees paid by residents over the year will meet the operating costs. If a surplus did arise it would be applied to reduce costs in the ensuing year.
If immediate hospitalisation or nursing care is required and a doctor is not present, the ambulance would normally take the Resident to the closest public hospital, which is Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital or Royal Perth Hospital.
The lease term is for the lifetime of a resident, or where there is more than one resident, during the lifetime of the surviving resident. The surviving resident would have to be a party to the lease.
During an emergency, Carers are under instructions to proceed immediately to the unit and to carry through specific emergency procedures which could include, having regard to the circumstances, calling the doctor, ambulance, next of kin and so forth. Residents instructions on these matters can be held on file so that personal preference can be respected. To assist with emergency access, master keys are available to provide entry to a unit.
The Board of Management and its administration have been responsible for managing the Village since its inception. The Management team are fully experienced in all aspects of administration and the provision of the full range of services.
It is a requirement of the Lease Agreement that the Board must be satisfied that intending residents are capable of living on an independent basis. In a case where the Board feels it necessary, they will refer it to their medical adviser for an opinion.
- All local authority services including library, refuse collection etc.
- Use of all the Board’s community facilities on the site, including lawns, gardens, roads, paths and lighting thereof.
- External maintenance of their unit.
- Administration, management and emergency call system facility, the security within the Village.
No charges are made for the use of these amenities.
Their use is governed by the Resident’s Rules.
There are many services available on site to residents that are provided on a “fee for service” basis.
- In the case of hospitalisation or the need for nursing care, it is expected the Board would/may give approval for an extended absence provided the operating costs are paid as they become due and payable. The Lease would remain in the name of the Resident until termination, either voluntarily or by default.
The leased unit will be your home but because of the community style of living, it is necessary to ensure the harmony in the Village, and thus some conditions are necessary.
Self care units have generally been designed for occupation by a person and spouse and fees have been structured on that basis.
Residents may have short stay guests on the basis that the written approval of the Administrator is first given. “Short Stay” is not more that 2 weeks continuous.
A unit may be allocated car parking which will be specified in the lease Agreement. Visitor car parking is also available throughout the Village.
Generally pets are not permitted. However, the Board may authorise a person to bring their present pet with them. Size and age of the pet would be considered and an approval given would be subject to withdrawal if the pet proved to be a nuisance.
Transperth Bus Services are available in Kalinda Drive and the Boulevard.
Taxi service is available on request of residents.
Ocean Gardens has a 12 seat bus which is used for outings, social purposes and transport of a similar nature. There are scheduled trips to Karrinyup, Innaloo and Floreat Forum shopping centres. A small charge is made for all trips as the bus service is self funding.
Ocean Gardens also has a shared vehicle available for use by residents, free of charge.
Under the Retirement Villages Act any surplus must be incorporated into the following year’s Operating Cost budget. The residents may, by a special resolution, approve the application of the whole or part of the budget surplus for any other purpose or purposes that is or are generally of benefit to the residents of the Retirement Village.
There is an Emergency Call System installed in the Village and this will be monitored 24 hours per day by staff on site. All the costs of monitoring and maintaining the emergency call system are included in the operating costs. Residents do require the connection of a telephone line with cost of the line being the responsibility of the resident. Residents who activate the emergency call system should expect to receive an account for services provided by staff in responding to a call.
The determination of who is called to deal with the emergency situation will depend on the particular circumstances, and the Resident concerned. Should hospitalisation be required, the wishes of any Resident would be noted, but the admission may well be in the hands of others.