How downsizing made retirement a dream for one retiree

Usually, if a gym brings someone to tears, it’s for the wrong reasons. But when Sharon first laid eyes on the wellness centre at Anglicare's retirement village, it brought tears to her eyes – tears of joy. 

Sharon had always intended to transition into retirement living eventually, but the steep hill at her previous home and repeated flooding incidents prompted her to act sooner than planned. 

After noticing an ad for an upcoming open day at an Anglicare retirement village, she decided to get a head start and visit early. That very day, she discovered an available apartment that suited her perfectly. 

“Everything fitted. I made the decision in a blink,” she says. 

“As a woman on her own, [I was looking for] security and comfort and like-minded people, and the opportunity to do a number of extra-curricular activities. And it ticked every box.” 

Moving was a breeze for Sharon who used an Anglicare downsizing support service.

“They took all the grief, the worry and the concern out of everything,” she says. 

“They packed me up. They got rid of what I needed to get rid of. They knew what I would need to take. Nothing was broken; nothing was a problem. Got rid of the rubbish. Moved me in here, and I was having champagne at two o'clock in the afternoon with the beds made, everything done. No hassle, no problems.

Sharon was particularly impressed by the number of activities on offer, including the cafe and group dinners, the chapel, choir, library and book club, and the facilities, including that gym. 

“When I was being shown around here, we got to the Wellness Center, and there's a pool there, and I cried because of all that that offers in fitness. And the whole Wellness Center, the physios, the doctors, the nurses, that whole complex there ticks every box for your wellness,” she says. 

She quickly slotted into her new life at the retirement village, and threw herself into the supportive, vibrant community. 

These days, Sharon describes her life at as “a little slice of heaven”. Surrounded by like-minded people and endless opportunities for engaging activities, she’s embraced her role as an active resident. 

"At this stage of your life, you think there is nothing new on offer, but this is where the next stage of your life begins, because you are meeting a whole lot of different people,” she says. 

“It just opens up a whole new world of joy and happiness because you're in a safe, comfortable environment." 

Sharon’s even taken on the role as a welfare officer in her building, helping to welcome new residents. 

“I write them a card and explain who I am, and I give them my number. I make sure that everyone in the village knows what's going on,” she says. 

“If we're having a gathering, we make sure that everyone knows about it, that everybody feels comfortable and that they have been personally invited.” 

For Sharon, a retirement village is not just a residence. 

“It is comfort, safety, security. It's home,” she says. 

Downsizing Offer

Ready for a fresh start? Anglicare is offering an exclusive downsizing package*. From decluttering to packing to moving, gain the extra pair of hands you need to downsize and unlock the lifestyle you deserve, with up to $10,000* of downsizing costs covered by us.

This offer is only available to new residents at select Anglicare Retirement Villages, being Mowll Village - Castle Hill, Warrina Village - Castle Hill, Glenhaven Green, The Ponds Village and Woolooware Shores.

To qualify, residents must meet eligibility criteria detailed in the terms and conditions. To learn more about the offer click here.