Retirement estates differ quite considerably in comparison to your average golf, equestrian and general lifestyle estates. The obvious distinction are the type of residents and amenities on offer, but what about the management?
According to Sue Smith, chief executive officer at Helderberg Retirement Village in Somerset West, Cape Town there should be no real difference.
‘I believe that regardless of the type of estate, all managers should have empathy and be able to handle the diverse personalities that make up any form of community living. The age of residents should not determine a specific management style,’ she says.
Instead, Smith suggests that the unique set of challenges each estate manager faces is likely to determine their management style. She goes on to explain the five biggest challenges she encounters as the manager of one of the biggest and most sought-after retirement estates in the Western Cape.