Topics: aged care, care services, freedom aged care, toowoomba

ALL it takes is a quick walk through the new $15million wing of Toowoomba retirement village Freedom Aged Care to see just how much the industry has changed in recent years.

Hundreds of prospective residents and their families got their first glimpse of the new 53-home extension at its official opening today.

The new addition brings the complex's total number of homes to 161, equating to a $44million investment by Freedom in Toowoomba since 2011.

Spokesman Patrick Smith said something "went wrong" with aged care about 30 years ago - nursing homes became more like hospitals and residents like patients.

New developments like Freedom's Village Ct complex have sought to right those wrongs.

"Freedom is full-care, but what makes it different is that all our residents have their own homes," Mr Smith said.

"They have their front door, their partner living with them and a few even have pet dogs.

"We try to maintain that sense of independence."

The nightly two-free-drink happy hour at the aptly-named Wrinkles Bar has proven a hit.

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GALLERY: Freedom by name, freedom by nature