1) What are the senior-friendly features at Vivara?
Dedicated emergency staff response 24x7 at the press of an emergency button that is conveniently located in each home. Every morning and evening at pre-agreed hours, Vivara Reception staff, on request, call each apartment to check that all's well.
State-of-the-art, 24x7 manned security, with access control, CCTV monitoring,and video door phones at the entrance of each home.
Facilitation and coordination of medical services, reminders about treatments, appointments and medication schedules, assistance with arranging transport or escort, if required, for appointments or doctors visits.
A 24x7 response to medical emergencies by either arranging for a home visit by a doctor / specialist or to take you to one including to the hospital, if required, in the medical emergency transport with driver standing by specially for such - emergency ambulation.
Special rates negotiated with a range of healthcare providers and fast-track admission with specified care standards. However, the choice of practitioner or hospital / nursing home etc. remains yours.
Video conference facilities through a web cam / internet link to keep in touch with your relatives, medical practitioners, bankers, lawyers or consultants.
A Fix-It Team on call to sort out any minor repair and maitenances in homes or even provide assistance such as helping to retrieve something from a top shelf, lift a suitcase, do the spring cleaning, rearrange furniture, etc.
No hassles of paying monthly outgoings, security, maintenance, property taxes, salaries, expenses, water supply and other issues as in a typical apartment in a residential complex. All these are taken care of and paid for by the Vivara Residences Management.
Safe environment where seniors are not vulnerable, as they often are when they live in a home on their own, to intimidation by strangers, extortionate staff and other service providers, boisterous youngsters, noisy neighbours, etc.
2) What does the word 'Vivara' mean?
It signifies a boon of long life from a combination of the Latin word 'viva' for "long live" and the Sanskrit 'vara' meaning a boon or fulfillment of a wish.
3) How does one qualify to be a resident of Vivara?
Only persons over the age of 60 and capable of independent living can lease or rent a home in Vivara, either individually also ensures new entrants or as a couple if one of the partners is over 60. Other entry criteria of a similar socioeconomic background as the existing residents.
4) What do I need to bring with me when I check in at Vivara Residences?
Nothing, except your personal effects and belongings. Your apartment is fully equipped and furnished with beds, cupboards, bedside tables, mirrors, TV, air-conditioner in the bedroom, etc. In the first instance most kitchen equipment, hollow-ware, cutlery, crockery, linen, bed sheets, mattresses and soft furnishings are provided as standard. These are maintained and subsequently replaced by lessees as and where necessary. Ask for a detailed list of furniture, equipment and fittings. The Vivara Residences Management pays for the Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC) of the air-conditioners and other equipment in your home. A few covered storage rooms on the terrace levels of each building are available a first-come-first-served basis at an additional charge on. All the top floor apartments have a storage space above the toilets between the toilet ceiling and the roof slab.
5) Can I make changes to the interiors of my home?
Minor changes are permissible within reason, but local building regulations need to be adhered to and the work should not disturb the neighbours. If you intend to make any changes in your home consult Vivara's General Manager first.
6) What is the role of the General Manager?
The primary contact person for residents is the General Manager, who is responsible for . the day-to-day administration of Vivara's engagement in hiring and supervision of Vivara employees, contractors and service providers as well as for all maintenance and upkeep of the buildings and common-use facilities. He or she typically lives in or near Vivara ensures the operational efficiency in the complex, supervises the maintenance services and takes charge in emergencies or other urgent issues.
7) Are healthcare services provided and what are the costs?
Healthcare, nursing, medication, diagnostic and curative services are not provided at Vivara Residences. However, you could have independent care providers visit at your request and the Vivara Residences Management will facilitate such private arrangements. Preferential prices, services and facilities have been pre-negotiated with hospitals and medical practitioners in the surrounding areas. However, residents are free to nominate their preferred healthcare provider and the Management will help to facilitate the delivery of these services.
8) How far away are the hospitals and nursing homes from Vivara Residences?
Vrindavan Hospital - in Calangute (10 mins away), Vrindavan Hospital - in Mapusa (20 mins away), District Hospital - Mapusa - 20 mins away), Manipal Hospital - Dona Paula (30 mins away), Goa Medical College - Bambolim (35 mins away), Apollo Victor Hospital - Margao (75 mins away). A number of reputed medical practitioners and dentists have their clinics or nursing homes in a 20-minute traveling radius. You can choose from a large number of doctors, super-specialists, physiotherapists, dieticians, pathologists, homeopathic and ayurvedic practitioners, acupuncture / acupressure specialists, massage therapists, pharmacies, etc. In addition, other professionals like lawyers, tax and financial consultants, bankers, etc. can visit and provide services to you at Vivara.
9) Is there transport at Vivara Residences to take me to a hospital in an emergency?
Yes, Vivara has a dedicated van and driver standing by, 24x7, to take you to a doctor or a hospital in an emergency without having to wait for an ambulance or any outside transport.
10) What are the features that will make life in Vivara Residences enjoyable?
There is a wide range of activities and fun things to do in Vivara. Some of the more popular are yoga, meditation, pool, carrom, craft, bingo, Tai Chi, chess, cards and movie nights, dance classes, laughter club, exercise, art, creative writing, computer classes, etc. to name a few. You are free to participate in social activities within and outside the community. The choice is yours! The Goa Kala Academy is 45 mins away where art exhibitions, plays, concerts, etc. are held around the year including national and international music and theatrical performances. There are Ravindra Bhavans where cultural events are held. Goa also has a vibrant night life and 'happening places' where the partying never ends!
Things to do in Goa (that may also be of interest to visiting family members especially grandchildren!):Go-kart racing, water sports at nearby beaches, museums and Science Centre, dolphin watching, boat rides, spice farm visits, water parks, waterfalls, jungle treks, etc.
11) What happens when I go on holidays?
Your home is looked after, the plants in your home are watered, etc. Notify the General Manager as to how long you are likely to be away. Mail can be received on your behalf if you have authorized the General Manager to do so. When on holiday leave your phone number, address and email id with the General Manager so he can send you the monthly newsletter giving details of new arrivals, activities planned, the events calendar, commercial issues and what's new at Vivara Residences.
12) Can family and friends be my guests and use the communal facilities?
Of course they can, it's your home and we encourage you to use it as you would if you lived anywhere else. Your family and friends are welcome to stay with visit you in your home for a time. There are also specifically designated apartments in Vivara for guest accommodation available on payment of a daily charge, that can be booked in advance. Friends and relatives are welcome to use the community recreational facilities while in your company and provided they respect the peace and privacy at Vivara just as you will. Children should be under adult supervision at all times.
13) Are pets welcome?
We recognize the value of pets and the companionship they provide. Residents may keep pets, provided that these do not cause noise, nuisance or danger or otherwise intrude on anyone's quiet enjoyment of their home and the amenities in Vivara. Pet owners must clean up all refuse / litter in the public areas. Check with the Management in advance about the pets may wish to keep.
14) What about other services that residents may require?
There is a wide choice of restaurants, resorts and starred-hotels within a 10 km radius of Vivara Residences. Post office, banks, ATM's, shops, supermarkets, delicatessens, grocery stores (with home delivery), tailors, spas, wellness centres, beauty parlours are all located within 5 mins driving distance of the community. Private and public cabs are available on call and the drivers may be contacted on their mobile phones.
15) Can I keep an attendant?
You are free to engage household help or a caregiver, nurse, etc. Domestic help is easily available in the vicinity of Vivara Residences. Outsourced maid services can also be availed of. There are staff toilets and shower arrangements in the campus. Most domestics speak English. They will be vetted by the Management before they start working for you. Entry of service staff, tradesmen and others into Vivara is strictly controlled and monitored.
16) How does Vivara's Australian accreditation help?
In Australia as in the US, UK and other countries that have a higher proportion of older citizens, the retirement living (RL) has been perfected and developed over decades. With accreditation by the Australian Retirement Village Association, Vivara Residences will be benchmarked to international standards, to promote and enhance quality services and best practices for the benefit of residents. As we comply with Australian management practices and adopt the latest trends in service quality, design improvements and advances in the industry the service that you receive at Vivara Residences continue to improve.
17) How often is maintenance and upkeep scheduled in Vivara?
The interiors and exteriors of the complex and your home are repainted periodically. When the interior of your home is being repainted, you can shift temporarily to a transit apartment in Vivara, that's kept vacant for such use.
Preventive maintenance of the physical structure and amenities is carried out at prescribed intervals.
The Management at Vivara Residences maintains all equipment provided as standard in your apartment under annual maintenance contracts. This covers the air-conditioning, washing machine, refrigerator and invertor but excludes small kitchen equipment, soft furnishings, TV, etc. An in-house Fix-It Team is also available on call to sort out technical problems with electricity, plumbing, toilets, etc.
A gardening contract team regularly does the mowing, pruning, mulching, cleaning, weeding and spraying of eco-friendly pesticides to keep the gardens well tended and beautiful.
Elevators, hydro-pneumatic systems, fire fighting systems, smoke detectors, gym equipment, intercom and video door phones, swimming pool, common areas, lounges, common furniture and common equipment are maintained according to generally accepted codes of practice and the manufacturers recommended schedules. The maintenance of these are carried out at the Management's cost.
Within each apartment, the smaller kitchen equipment, TV, light bulbs, linen, soft furnishings, mattresses, towels, etc. are provided by the Vivara Management in the first instance and subsequently replaced by the resident at their cost. All these are maintained, serviced and repaired or replaced by the resident and belong to him/her. This equipment is of well known national brands but the Management does not take responsibility for these items. Crockery and cutlery are also provided and replaced by the resident.
18) Will I get assistance when I require it?
Yes, Vivara Residences have a 24-hour reception service, an emergency call system with call buttons in each apartment at fixed locations and a wire-free lapel button that can be worn by residents at all times, it they wish to. When you press the call bell, the buzzer will sound at security and at the reception. The locks on your apartment door are similar to those in hotel rooms with key cards that staff can use to enter the apartment in an emergency and take immediate action, like calling for medical help or moving you to the medical facility of your choice.