What matters most to people in retirement villages and their transition to residential aged care

As older people age and become frail, their decline in independence and concomitant changing care needs may force them to move from retirement village to a residential aged care facility. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that contribute to subjective wellbeing among older people living in retirement villages in Aotearoa New Zealand and to compare results with the data from the residents of the care home facilities co-located with the retirement villages. This research provides insights on what matters most to retirement village residents’ subjective wellbeing, which includes a dignified environment enhancing positive mental health, relationship building and reducing loneliness and isolation.