Highfield Country Estate Retirement Village – A well-established community

Ever since the 1950s, there has been an increased need to take care of the world’s ageing population. The retirement care industry started off with barebones facilities and amenities yet it has grown into one of the most comprehensive accommodation options for retired citizens. Highfield Country Estate Retirement Village is a testament to that as one of Waikato’s premier housing options for the elderly.

Originally established in 2009, construction on Highfield began in 2010. The initial strategic plan included the construction of 100 villas over 10 years. However, the retirement village proved to be so popular that the directors have managed to construct more than 100 villas in less than six years. By the end of 2016, the retirement village will house 116 unique homes with a combination of two and three bedroom villas. Currently, the village proudly sports a 100 percent occupancy rate which exemplifies the vibrant sense of community that the directors have tried to create.

Time is of the essence

Highfield Country Estate Retirement Village operates within the philosophy that “time is our most valuable asset”. While this encompasses many different elements, its core foundation is that those who have entered the retirement age should have more time to spend doing things they enjoy. Even if a retiree chooses never to maintain their gardens again, the retirement village affords them with that option should they prefer to spend their time differently. The village’s moto is “The life style you want; the peace of mind you deserve” which showcases what residents have come to expect from Highfield.

A core element of this equation is The Lodge, a community centre located right in the heart of the Estate. Since opening on April 2^nd 2016, The Lodge has seen immense activity and the residents were quick to take advantage of the new social hub. It offers a library, kitchen, gym, salon, billiard area, movie theatre, arts & crafts room, consultation, meeting, and multi-purpose rooms, and more. The building also includes swimming and spa pools which are available to all the residents. There are loads of activities going on at any given time and exercising has proven highly popular with the residents as well.

A multitude of opportunities for social activities

Outside the village, residents are also able to enjoy regular outings. These include weekly coffee trips, a planned walk in the district every month, shopping at the nearby Hamilton Mall, and weekly shopping in the town of Te Awamutu. The residents are deeply involved in the activities process. The dedicated resident social committee cooperates with the Highfield activities coordinator in order to fill out every calendar month with a range of different activities that appeal to every resident. Participation is entirely voluntary but Campbell Fladgate, one of the village’s directors, assured us that residents are very keen on staying active.

After all, a retirement village provides residents with a multitude of opportunities that would not normally be available to them should they have stayed at their own homes. The sense of community is unparalleled and taking part in the many activities is simply part of the natural order. When the residents do not have to worry about managing day-to-day tasks, their time opens up and they are free to enjoy everything else that life has to offer. Though Highfield is quite a large retirement village, everyone knows and supports each other. The established buddy system also ensures that no one gets left behind as the residents look out for each other at all times.

A beautiful and safe location

Aside from the activities, the peace of mind that Highfield Estate strives for is helped by the incredible location which the retirement village is set on. When the village was still undergoing construction, the directors made a conscious decision to create a place of natural beauty. The sunny homes are surrounded by incredible gardens, including a well-maintained pond where residents frequently relax. Furthermore, the gated community is patrolled nightly so that the residents can always maintain a real sense of security. Of course, each villa is also equipped with an emergency call system which ensures that the staff can instantly react to any potential medical emergencies.

Working in the retirement village industry is incredibly rewarding for the right person. At Highfield, the directors promote strong work ethics and they are very much involved in the community. Because of that, the staff feel a sense of accomplishment as they come to understand that their contributions have an immediate positive impact on the lives of the residents. From maintenance to gardening, each profession in the village is absolutely necessary to maintaining the well-being of the community and the directors make sure that everyone appreciates this fact.

“We are involved in the village as well. We work hard and have a strong stance on work ethics and the philosophy of hard work for everyone here. The staff here feel rewarded and satisfied. We also do a lot of the work ourselves, it’s not a suit and tie environment, we help with construction, landscaping, and maintenance. There’s no sort of hierarchy in those terms. The residents also appreciate that. A lot of the residents who come here have worked very hard in their lives and they appreciate people who also work hard”, Campbell explains.

Though the Highfield Country Estate Retirement Village is now reaching maximum capacity in terms of infrastructure, the directors aren’t about to sit on their laurels. Opposite the village, a new hospital is being constructed which will offer residents an additional incentive to stay in the village even longer. In the future, the team is committed to keep providing the same excellent standards of care and community development that Highfield has become renown for.