Listening to Rose and Jean’s light‑hearted banter makes you feel like you are watching a reboot of the Golden Girls.

The two UK expats are thick as thieves, laughing amongst themselves as they reflect on their 40+ years of friendship.

“Our husbands worked together and when they both took up golf it was bye-bye fellas,” quipped Rose.

“We tried to join in with golf but that didn’t last for long – thankfully our friendship stuck,” said Jean.

The two friends recently decided to take the plunge and move in together, putting their names on an enquiry list for a place in a new residential aged care home in Elizabeth South.

Located in the heart of the Playford Health & Wellbeing Precinct, the 96-place Healthia development supports residents to have more choice and engagement in everyday living.

Healthia’s village-like setting features eight houses, each home to 12 residents. At the heart of each home is a shared living space where residents can connect, relax and spend time with family and friends.

The design promotes relationships, independence and choice in a supported environment. Jean has lived in the same home in Elizabeth for the past 60 years. She said that she is happy to be making such a dramatic life change with the support of her best friend.

“Elizabeth will always be home for me. Being so close to the health precinct and having Rose with me makes it feel a lot less stressful. I have already seen familiar faces at open day which was nice – this is my community,” said Jean.

Rose, a proactive member of the community, said that she was drawn to live at Healthia by the independent lifestyle. She has spent the past 16 years as a member of Grenville Hub, singing in the Silver Beat Rock Choir and even acting in a recent show at the Adelaide Fringe.

“It made sense to move here. At my age you spend more time with friends than with family. Hopefully I can wrangle up some
new recruits here too,” laughed Rose.

Along with providing new retirement living options, Healthia has created 130 new jobs for Playford. Healthia Care Manager and Munno Para local Chloe said she was excited to be looking after people from her own community.

“As a registered nurse I have always wanted to work in a career which helps people. Now I get to help people in my neighborhood,” said Chloe

Healthia is just one of a number of new developments within the Playford Health & Wellbeing Precinct.

• Calvary is progressing the second stage of the Playford Health Hub on Haydown Road, which includes an already completed retail and carpark facility, a medical and specialist centre and a proposed private hospital.

• Council has signed over land on Oldham Road to the State Government for future expansion of the Lyell McEwin Hospital.

• Council is transforming Mofflin Reserve into an outdoor play space and urban sanctuary, featuring large nature play, a walking and running loop and therapeutic garden with quiet areas for rest and recuperation to complement nearby health services.

Council and the community want world class health, education, rehabilitation and research facilities in our precinct. These services complement an expanding Lyell McEwin Hospital which supports our rapid population growth in the northern region.