The HERVASA Accreditation

The Healthcare and Retirement Village Association [HERVASA] is a voluntary membership association for both operators of retirement villages within South Africa as well as individuals or commercial organisations that work within the retirement sector. HERVASA is a national body that endeavours to represent, protect and promote the interests of its members and their associated services. The principal aim of HERVASA is to represent villages who share our vision for providing quality services. In order to achieve this, the association has for some time enforced a Code of Practice requiring HERVASA members to manage their villages in a professional manner and with the highest level of commercial integrity. The Code of Practice is audited on a regular basis by HERVASA and provides assurance to members that village management meets minimum operating standards.

• Lobbying the Government to ensure consultation regarding legislation and Government policy.
  
• Assistance with compliance with the Senior Citizens Act of 1988 and associated regulations [still being drafted].
  
• Annual industry conference and comprehensive trade show attracting over 200 delegates.
  
• Regional Managers forums to maximize networking opportunities and glean information.
  
• Education seminars.
  
• Regular communication from National office.
  
• Media profile.
  
• Bulk Purchasing schemes.
  
• Value added benefits for residents.
  
• Monitoring of international trends.
  
• Comprehensive member database providing quality data of the sector.
  
• Assistance with dispute resolution.
  
• Quarterly publication of membership magazine - 'Retirement Views'.
  
• Comprehensive / Interactive web site.

"Choosing the village that meets your needs and expectations can help enrich your quality of life and enable you to pursue your future lifestyle aspirations."

A retirement village offers a wonderful lifestyle to those wanting to live independently in their own homes while enjoying the benefits a retirement village can provide. Retirement villages are enjoyed by residents of all ages over 55 and are located in prime areas such as near the sea, golf course or in the heart of the city.

The term 'Retirement Village", covers an ever-increasing variety of accommodation and services for people over 55 years of age. There are many different types of retirement villages available to choose from. Villages have an emphasis on 'lifestyle' with resort-style accommodation and facilities. Some villages provide a full range of care optionsenabling residents to enjoy a village lifestyle for as long as they wish.

Each village is unique in what it offers. Villages can range in size from four to over 200 units. The types of accommodation vary from villas or town houses to apartments, serviced apartments and studios. Most villages have a community centre and offer a range of recreation facilities.

Some of the reasons that people move into a retirement village are to;

• Enjoy the privacy of their own home
  
• Have independence in a supportive environment
  
• Acquire peace of mind from 24 hour 'on call' assistance
  
• Gain access to a variety of services and recreation facilities
  
• Remove the major worry of maintaining a home
  
• Eliminate the need to worry about security

Living in a retirement village allows you the best of both worlds; you are able to enjoy the benefits of privacy and security without the worry of maintaining your home. Choosing a suitable village enriches your life and allows you the time to pursue interests or relaxation with your friends.

The most common phrase we hear from existing residents is "I wish I had made the decision to move sooner."

Why should you choose a HERVASA village?

HERVASA members have are committed to providing quality services within their villages. By establishing a compulsory HERVASA Accreditation Programme, the Association seeks to demonstrate the accredited villages levels of responsibility and committed to meeting the needs of their residents.

Increasingly, residents within the community are demanding greater accountability and consistency in services offered by public, community, charitable and private retirement village service providers. Prospective residents can make the decision to move into an accredited village with confidence that appropriate standards have been met and are maintained.