What is Retirement Living?

Retirement apartments are usually offered either for rent, purchase, or shared ownership.  

Retirement living offers you the opportunity to live independently within your own property but with the added benefit of an on-site Scheme Manager available during the week.  Scheme Managers are trained and experienced in supporting the needs of older people. Managers will be instrumental in making changes in the community based on residents’ wants and needs including communal activities.  

Residents often enjoy the benefit of communal facilities, such as a shared lounge and gardens. Whilst also having a low-maintenance lifestyle with fewer areas to clean and maintain than at home. 

Many retirement living providers also offer wellbeing charges at an additional cost. Wellbeing charges cover things like activities, daily check-ins and the wellbeing team are the first response in an emergency etc. 

Retirement living communities and villages also offer a sense of security and safety. Only people with a card or key fob can access the building. Each apartment will have a safety alarm to use in emergencies.   

The main difference between retirement living and a retirement village is the size and facilities available. A retirement village is a housing development built specifically for people aged 55 and over. 

Each retirement village will vary but they usually have a range of luxury facilities for residents such as golf courses, swimming pools, restaurants, gyms, and libraries. Plus, for peace of mind, there’s on-site care support provided if and when you should need it, available for an additional charge. 

Retirement living with care

Retirement living with care enables you to stay independent, you can choose and pay for what you need. Most retirement living with care schemes will have the following help available:

• Medication
• Personal care
• Domestic package - cleaning and cooking 

It might be that when you move you don’t need any help, but it gives you peace of mind that it’s available should you need it. You can also have care for a set period, so if you were to have a fall and need extra support, you can pay the wellbeing charge till you’ve recovered.