I initially found Auria Senior Living’s claim of “This is not retirement. This is living” a tad lofty, but providing round-the-clock care every day of the year does seem like a cushy deal for the elderly (and their families).

Plus, the village offers a variety of hospitality options and wellness centres to keep them active and healthy. We’re talking about coffee shops, bars and lounges, heated swimming pools, a private cinema and even a hair salon and gym!

There are currently five Auria facilities: Melrose Manor, Coral Cove, Royal View, Woodside Village, and San Sereno. 

A short visit to the San Sereno village revealed a carefully planned and centrally located setting that’s ideal for social gatherings, as well as proactive and continuous care activities. 

Each facility provides assisted living with excellent amenities. For instance, Royal View offers access to a golf course! Be prepared to shell out an apartment entry price of around R1.5 million for all those luxuries, though.

Customer Reviews

Absolutely amazing facility with many amenities

“Brilliant facility for Senior Living in a luxurious environment, Several communities located in Melrose – Gauteng, Sandringham – Gauteng Bryanston – Gauteng, Coral Cove – KZN, and CT. Absolutely amazing facility with many amenities on site.”

– Teresa Sheard, Google Review

Best decision we ever made

“Best decision we ever made. Blessed to be able to live at San Sereno.”

– Stuart Lee, Facebook Review

Golden Acres in Johannesburg primarily serves the Jewish community, being a part of the Chevrah Kadisha group, which is deeply rooted in Jewish traditions and welfare services. 

However, it’s worth noting that while the facilities and activities are tailored to the Jewish way of life, the primary focus is on providing a caring and supportive environment for all elderly residents since it’s a communally run village.

Onsite amenities at Golden Acres include covered parking, a well-stocked library, a nurses’ station, a hairdressing salon, daily shul services, and a variety of engaging daily activities.

This means rates are generally more affordable due to subsidies and income-based fees. But unlike privately-run homes, services and amenities here are more basic than luxurious.

Customer Reviews

This place is so beautiful 

“Good to have moments with the elderly where some golden knowledge and wisdom is. This place is so beautiful and the environment suits the frail and old residents on Earth.”

– Nyepu Mbaimbai, Google Review

Lovely place to stay with lots to offer

“Always extremely helpful and friendly at the reception. It’s kept very clean & staff helpful. Lovely place to stay with lots to offer.”

– Marilyn Merkel, Google Review

The Village in Bryanston provides a dignified and welcoming space for independent seniors over sixty who are on a limited budget. The establishment operates on a shareblock ownership basis, making it an affordable option compared to more high-end retirement villages in the area.

It offers various accommodation options, including cottages and apartments, with facilities like midcare and frail care available. Do note that when exiting a cottage, only part of the capital amount paid is returned, while a portion remains with the village’s owner.

Residents can enjoy a variety of facilities for themselves and their guests, including a medical centre, restaurant, club room, games room, coffee lounge, and library.

Customer Reviews

The gardens are so heavenly and well-maintained

“Perfect retirement home if you’re looking for a lock-and-go place. The gardens are so heavenly and well-maintained. Neat clean modern cottages kept up to date.”

– Constance Masoka, Google Review

Great peace of mind

“They take great care of my parents in a beautiful country garden setting. Great peace of mind. Thank you so much!”

– Bridget Couldridge, Google Review

We like that Deansgate Retirement Village in Craighall Park welcomes everyone, regardless of religion, gender, or race. It offers various accommodation options and professional care levels, from independent living to mid-care, frail care, and specialised dementia and Alzheimer’s care. 

We visited the Alzheimer Wing and were impressed by its lush, enclosed garden and a separate dining area and lounge. It gives families with dementia patients the peace of mind that their loved ones have a serene daily living space.

The cottages are also spacious and equipped with modern, high-quality fittings. Each unit includes a solar geyser to save electricity, providing hot water for bathing and underfloor heating or radiators. 

But while the surroundings and well-appointed units are lovely, they do come at a steep price: 1-bedroom cottages start at R1,300,000 and 2-bedroom cottages start at R2,700,000!

Customer Reviews

It has beautiful gardens and beautiful people.

“Deansgate provides an incredibly caring environment for our aged parents. It has beautiful gardens and beautiful people.”

– June Julyan, Google Review

 A lot of natural light in the chalets, assisted living rooms, high-care rooms and general living areas

“Every time I have visited my ageing Aunt n Uncle I have been suitably impressed. Particularly by the friendly cheery staff–which for me is a critical component for a successful retirement village. My cousins have told me Deansgate is very well run. I have been impressed by the layout/design. A lot of natural light in the chalets, assisted living rooms, high-care rooms and general living areas. Most areas seem to have garden views. In spite of a lot of elderly folk being accommodated there is not a cramped, old, dark, depressing vibe which many retirement villages have.”

– Jeannie Wallace, Google Review

The Flower Foundation follows the Older Persons Act 13 of 2006, which aims to protect and empower older citizens in South Africa. This act ensures the rights, dignity, well-being, and safety of seniors are upheld, promoting their status and security.

It’s one of the retirement villages in Johannesburg with a lower accommodated age of 55 years old. It offers three care levels: retirement villages, assisted living, and full care, including specialised dementia care.

We visited one of the independent villages, Willowbrook, and were taken aback at how it looked more like a country club than a retirement community. Lush flower beds and bushes, a scalloped fountain, and a sunny courtyard with pigeons gave it the look and feel of an Italian piazza.

With nine locations in Johannesburg, there are various accommodation options and prices to suit different needs. Some villages do have longer waiting times, though.

Customer Reviews

They took care of our grandmother like she was their own mother

“The entire staff is excellent. They took care of our grandmother like she was their own mother. She was comfortable and always happy. We had peace of mind as a family. Thank you for caring.”

– Lerato F Mohohlo,  Facebook Review

The staff does their work with dignity, pride, respect for the residents 

“I want to say thank you, to all Flower Foundation Retirement Homes staff who are on the front line, put their lives at risk and still do their work with dignity, pride, respect for the residents they look after every day. Thank you for your selflessness and dedication.”

– Burt Laas, Facebook Review