The empty nest, as it were, can easily be far too big.

You, or the person you’re regularly looking after, may also need an ever-increasing frequency or specialisation of care due to medical reasons.

These are just a couple of potential reasons why you may need to look seriously at specially-designed, and specially-staffed, retirement living, either for short-term respite or as a permanent arrangement.

One option, if you still need some space, is a retirement villa with various services and social facilities on-call and on site.

You can also be proactive, downsize to something like this earlier rather than as a last resort, and enjoy the social benefits of community-style living.

At Villaggio Sant Antonio in Page, for example, their “central tenet is the experience of the village where activity, events, happenings, interactions and involvement with the community and each other are integral.”

To expand on that a little, “For those residents who like to try new things, go places and see people, we have a vibrant and active social calendar that is satisfying for even the most energetic of us.”

They also encourage other social participation such as volunteering in the hostel.

“Maintaining an exciting, vibrant and involved lifestyle is one of the reasons many of our residents choose Villaggio” they say.

Visit www.villaggio.com.au