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Choosing the perfect retirement home

Making the decision to move from the comfort of your own home into a new retirement home is not one to be taken lightly and needs a lot of thought and preparation.

So what should you be looking for in your new retirement home?

Peace of Mind

Whether you are able to live without assistance or need extra care, you want to know that you're going to be getting the best and most secure facilities on offer to fit within your lifestyle. You will need to check with each retirement home listed, what services they offer and what degree of independence you can have there.
Modern new retirement developments are thought out very carefully with special attention paid to detail, from the style of the property and its natural surroundings, to the distance from local shops, hospitals, transport and social aspects such as meeting clubs and restaurants. The retirement home may also offer security entrances, 24 hour care lines, smoke alarms and lifts are generally included and designed to make you feel secure and protected. A house manager is also a reassuring presence in any retirement home. Whether you need them or not, from keeping an eye on your apartment to answering any questions you might have, they are there to provide assistance that you may have in when you first move into your new retirement home.

Independence in your retirement home

In order to live as independently as possible, you need access to everything you'd expect in your own home such as space for storage, even the types of tap fittings used and the heights of units. These small details mean that you can continue to look after yourself well in your retirement home. Assisted living is a great option for those who can maintain a good degree of independence and are well enough not to need a full time care home but need a bit of extra help in their retirement home. Many retirement developments offer assisted living for those that need it while still allowing its residents a high degree of independence.

  

Comfort

To be comfortable, you need to feel at home, relaxed and secure in your new retirement home. This is mostly achieved by choosing a good quality retirement apartment but extras such as laundry rooms and residents lounges also offer you companionship and conversation when you want it and fully equipped guest suites for visitors who wish to stay overnight.

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The cost of retirement living

While it's usually tempting to go for the cheapest option, that's not always best. Try to find a retirement home within your budget with a clear cost structure so there are no hidden costs. Various service charges including garden maintenance, water rates, the use of the care line, the house manager etc can soon add up causing a great deal of stress and worry. You want value for money from a retirement home, in a location suitable for you, with the facilities you need and a clear idea of what extra charges you will need to budget for. Energy efficiency should be high on the tick list too because the more efficient a property, the less costly it will be and save your money into retirement.
 

Useful links

Age Concern or Citizens Advice Bureau for further information about benefits and grants.

The Disabled Living Foundation can provide information about equipment and adaptations.

Contact the Elderly Accommodation Counsel for suggestions based on your needs and preferred areas.

There are also trade organisations that promote good service standards for developers and management companies: the National House Building Council (NHBC) and the Association of Retirement Housing Managers (ARHM). Members of these bodies agree to observe certain standards in how they operate. Your rights as a leaseholder are partly established in law and partly in the terms of your lease.