Anna Gorgijeski is the Head of Retirement Living at Ozcare. With over 20 years’ experience across retirement living, property development, digital transformation, and HR, Anna leads Ozcare’s mission to create vibrant, resident-centred communities. She’s guided more than $320 million in seniors-focused construction projects and sits on the Property Council of Australia’s Retirement Living Council. Anna is passionate about innovation and making it easier to bring fresh ideas to life in this space. We asked Anna some questions ahead of her appearance at the Living Sectors Summit.

How are retiree expectations shifting, and what changes are you seeing in how retirement communities are designed, marketed and managed?

Retirees today are looking for more than just care—they’re seeking connection, purpose, and lifestyle. As I often say, “People want to live well, not just age well.” This shift is driving major changes in how we design and manage retirement communities.

Design is now focused on creating vibrant, wellness-oriented environments that support independence and social engagement. Marketing has become more lifestyle-driven, with messaging that reflects empowerment and choice rather than just care and support. And from a management perspective, we’re seeing a move toward more personalised, hospitality-style service models with care in the background. Ultimately, it’s about meeting people where they are in life—and creating vibrant communities.

What are the key considerations in balancing commercial outcomes with community and care imperatives in today’s retirement living developments?

It’s about finding the sweet spot between purpose and performance. While commercial viability is essential, it can’t come at the expense of resident wellbeing. Key considerations include designing for long-term sustainability, ensuring services genuinely meet resident needs, and fostering a culture that prioritises care and connection. When you get the community piece right, commercial outcomes tend to follow.

With your experience across digital transformation and property, how is technology enabling more responsive and personalised retirement living experiences?

Technology is playing a pivotal role in reshaping retirement living—making it more personalised, proactive, and connected. With my background in both digital transformation and property, I’ve seen firsthand how integrated solutions can elevate the resident experience.

Smart home technologies, for example, are enabling greater independence and safety—things like voice-activated lighting, fall detection systems, and remote health monitoring are no longer future concepts; they’re becoming standard features in some developments. These tools allow residents to live more comfortably while giving families and care teams peace of mind.

Digital platforms are also streamlining communication and service delivery. Residents can now book activities, request maintenance, or access wellbeing support through apps, creating a more responsive and user-friendly environment.

From a property perspective, data is helping us design spaces that better reflect how people want to live. We’re using insights to tailor amenities, improve accessibility, and create environments that foster community and wellbeing.

Ultimately, technology is helping us shift from a reactive model of care to a proactive model of living—where services are tailored, experiences are enriched, and residents feel truly supported.

What role does co-location of services – such as health, aged care, and wellness play in Ozcare’s vision for future-ready retirement living communities?

I always say, “if you can see you GP, get your hair done, join a Pilates class, meet friends for lunch without leaving the building – you’ve got a winning formula”.

Co-location of services is central to Ozcare’s vision for future-ready retirement living. By integrating aged care and wellness within the same precinct, we’re able to offer a more seamless and responsive experience for residents.

People shouldn’t have to move through systems—systems should move around people. Co-location allows us to do just that. It reduces fragmentation, improves access to care, and supports ageing in place—something more and more retirees are seeking.

It also strengthens community connection. Residents can access wellness programs, health support, and social activities all in one place, which enhances both convenience and quality of life. From an operational perspective, it enables better coordination across services and a more holistic approach to wellbeing.

Ultimately, it’s about creating environments that support people to live well, with the right services available when they need them—without compromising independence or lifestyle.

As a member of the PCA Retirement Living Council, what policy or sector-wide changes would you like to see to better support innovation in this space?

To truly support innovation in retirement living, we need policy settings that are flexible, future-focused, and aligned with the evolving expectations of older Australians. The ideas are there – the challenge is making it easier to bring them to life.

Faster approvals, flexible design standards, and policy support for co-located models would make a huge difference.

I’d also like to see greater recognition of retirement living as a critical part of the housing and aged care continuum. As I often say, “We’re not just building homes—we’re enabling people to live well, longer.” That means supporting tenure models that offer security and choice, and streamlining regulation to reduce complexity without compromising quality.

Ultimately, innovation thrives when policy enables rather than restricts. We need to create an environment where providers can respond to changing needs with creativity, confidence, and speed.

Anna is a presenter at the Living Sectors Summit this November. View the brochure for details on her session and the full two-day agenda.