Health of residents in retirement villages in New Zealand: who lives there, why did they move in, what are their health needs?

Introduction: In New Zealand (NZ), a nation where low-density detached housing predominates, a major societal shift has seen moving into a retirement village (RV) becoming a popular accommodation and lifestyle option for older people. The conglomerate nature of RVs provides opportunities to offer health/support services on site. Perhaps one in eight people aged 75+ years live in RVs, yet information is scant. This survey describes the demographics, social supports and health/disability needs of RV residents in Auckland/Waitemata District Health Board regions.Methods: In total, 33 of 67 villages were surveyed. Recruitment methods of residents included 1) “sampled” – in which Gerontology Nurse Specialist (GNS) researchers approached randomly selected units (or, in small villages, all units) by letter and door-knock/phone, and 2) “volunteers” – in which residents were invited to participate via newsletters, posters and meetings but were not door-knocked/ phoned. Each participant completed an online questionnaire and an interRAI health needs assessment with the GNS. Ethics approval was granted, but under NZ’s Health and Disability Commissioner (Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights) Regulations 1996, residents lacking capacity to consent were excluded.