Retirement villages spell the end of a hobby

An increasing number of senior citizens face the decision of moving out of their home and into other accommodation.

A veteran radio amateur has rightly highlighted a shortcoming in the design of retirement villages, as Jim Linton VK3PC reports.

"For many radio amateurs, our hobby is an integral part of their lifestyle, and with retirement it's a time for them to look forward to having even more enjoyment from amateur radio.

In the letters page of Victorian Senior newspaper, Rodney Champness VK3UG says he would be reluctant to move into a retirement village. This is because some of his personal interests are not adequately taken into consideration.

Referring to floor plans of some retirement units, he describes them as having an inadequate single vehicle garage to suit a retiree with a mechanical hobby. They are simply too small to include work benches and storage areas.

Any active retirement age bloke like myself, says Rodney, has virtually their hobbies taken away from them if they go into such accommodation.

He asks: "Is this fair, and isn't the aim of the government and others to encourage retirees to remain active?"

He also mentions that he enjoys amateur radio, which involves the installation of external radio antennas. These are forbidden by many retirement villages.

Rodney makes the plea that retirement villages be more attractive to those with mechanical hobbies.

If the retirement village industry takes heed of what Rodney
Champness VK3UG says they're likely to find it provides them with a marketing advantage - because one size does not fit all retirement needs.

Jim Linton VK3PC

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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