Step 1

What are the Differences?

It is sometimes quite confusing when using the words “Retirement Homes”, as this can mean many things to many people.

Do we mean a residential home, Are we looking for a new flat, do we want a house by the sea, what about living in a Retirement Viilage? Does our state of health matter? Do we need care? - If so what about a Nursing Home? What is appropriate for me!

RETIREMENT VILLAGES/RETIREMENT LIVING

Retirement villages have been widespread, and very popular, in the USA for many years and now their popularity is starting to spread to Britain.

More and more retired people are looking at retirement villages as comfortable and practical places to live, once they have the freedom to choose exactly where they want to live. There are now a number of villages spread across the country, often in rural areas but still quite accessible to towns and cities. They offer somewhere where people can live independently, in a small community of similarly-aged people (almost always over 55), in modern properties that are designed with the elderly in mind and with care at hand.

An increasingly popular concept, essentially anything from an estate to a full blown village-sized development of bungalows, flats or houses, intended for occupation by older people. Often include a number of recreation facilities, and sometimes a care home.

There's the combination of independence and security, with the opportunity to still lead an active life with a sense of community. The villages often have organised activities most evenings, in addition to shopping trips during the day. In many cases the residents organise their own clubs and activities, so there's no feeling of restriction.

The housing, which ranges from studio apartments to houses, is specifically designed for the elderly. Often, for example, plugs are higher on the wall, eliminating the need to bend down, and bathrooms will come with rails for bath and toilet. Houses will often have the main bedroom on the ground floor, so there's no need to cope with stairs on a regular basis.

Sheltered housing/Very Sheltered Housing (Extra Care)

Sheltered Housing, (also known as Retirement Housing) means having your own flat or bungalow in a block, or on a small estate, where all the other residents are older people (usually over 55). With a few exceptions, all developments (or 'schemes') provide independent, self-contained homes with their own front doors.

There are many different types of scheme, both to rent and to buy. They usually contain between 15 and 40 properties, and range in size from studio flats (or 'bedsits') through to 2 and 3 bedroomed houses.

Properties in most schemes are designed to make life a little easier for older people - with features like raised electric sockets, lowered worktops, walk-in showers, and so on. Some will usually be designed to accommodate wheelchair users. And they are usually linked to an emergency alarm service (sometimes called 'community alarm service') to call help if needed.

Many schemes also have their own 'manager' or 'warden', either living on-site or nearby, whose job is to manage the scheme and help arrange any services residents need. Managed schemes will also usually have some shared or communal facilities such as a lounge for residents to meet, a laundry, a guest flat and a garden.

New forms of sheltered housing have been pioneered in recent years, to cater for older people who are becoming more frail and less able to do everything for themselves. These are known as extra care or “very sheltered schemes”. Most properties in these schemes will suit less mobile people and wheelchair users, and bathrooms particularly will be designed to make it easier for assistance to be offered. Schemes may have their own care staff, and will usually provide one or more meals each day, if required.

Care Homes

Residential home providing 24 hour general care but with no registration to provide nursing care

Care Homes with Nursing

A care home with nursing typically will have qualified nurses permanently on site, registered to provide nursing care.

Our recommended nursing homes offer the 24-hour personal support and accommodation of a residential home with the added benefit of specialist care from qualified nurses.

Nursing care may be more suitable if you have an illness or a disability that requires frequent complex nursing attention

For information on Care Homes and Care Homes with Nursing please visit our sister site: www.care-nursing-homes.co.uk

STEP 2 - DO I RENT OR BUY? >>