Moving into a retirement residence can be a hard call. But sometimes it’s a home from home. Miranda Jessop researches some top local options
As the youngest child in the family, whilst my brother and sister were off discovering the world, I found myself left behind at home. And although my parents were only in their late 50s, one of their favourite topics was their anticipatory relish at downsizing to a retirement village. To me the thought was appalling: a horror reinforced by the memory of fortnightly trips to visit my granny in an adequate, but rather depressing care home.
Ironically, 30 years on, my parents are both still living independently at home. Even so, it now feels like the right time to take a look at what is actually out there. And it seems that, as long as you have ample funds, the options are far from few.
For a high-end care home reminiscent of a smart hotel, Moore Place in Esher offers first-class care and facilities for 60 residents in luxurious surroundings. It’s contemporary and elegant, with spacious bedrooms and large en-suite bathrooms, plus several lounges, a cinema and a hair and beauty salon. Dining rooms on every floor serve fresh and appetising meals, while the beautiful landscaped gardens are ideal for a stroll. There’s even a greenhouse for anyone with green fingers and pets are also welcome to visit. All accommodation packages are bespoke.
‘Try before you buy’ is a brilliant initiative set up by Retirement Villages, whose portfolio includes Elmbridge Village in Cranleigh. A complimentary overnight stay gives potential buyers the opportunity to see for themselves what retirement village life is really like. Moreover, Elmbridge Village has recently been transformed by the opening of Elmbridge Manor, a fabulous country club style facility with a concert hall, new restaurant, private dining room, bar and lounge, plus function and meeting rooms, library, shop and surgery. Anyone buying at Elmbridge has access to all the village facilities. A two-bedroom bungalow is currently on the market for £349,950. Service charges vary according to property, starting at £3,288 per year.
With dementia on the rise, Chelsea Court Place is specifically designed for the unique needs of memory care residents. An oasis of tranquillity at the heart of Chelsea, with cutting-edge, dementia-friendly design, it offers 24-hour bespoke nursing care for up to 15 residents. As well as a restaurant serving delicious nutritious meals, there is also a luxurious private dining room where residents can invite family and friends for Sunday lunch or to celebrate special occasions. Other facilities include cinema, library room, indoor garden and a spa hydrotherapy room. Accommodation is in premium en-suite apartments and costs from £2,000 per week.
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www.eddiemacdonald.co.uk
The Chelsea Court Palace library
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Elmbridge Village
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Picasa
Moore Place
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Residents at Whiteley Village
Want to live longer? Whiteley Village, near Walton, could be the place for you. Set in acres of woodland, it’s a charitable trust providing accommodation for 500 pensioners of limited financial means.
The village was established 100 years ago as a bequest of William Whiteley, the founder of Whiteley’s department store in London, and is believed to have been the first purpose-built retirement village in the UK. At its heart are 262 Grade-II -listed almshouses for those who wish to live independently, while Huntley House offers 51 extra care apartments. There are also two residential homes, Whiteley House and Ingram House, which offer different levels of care.
The trust’s role is to enable residents to be as independent as possible and contribute to village life through thriving volunteer groups. Not for nothing does Whiteley claim to be “the best place to age in Britain”: research from Cass Business School has shown that people here live up to five years longer than the national average, even though most residents are from economically disadvantaged social groups. Whiteley applicants should not own a property or have savings that give them choices to rent or purchase on the open market. Not surprisingly, there is a waiting list of one to two years, although further expansion is planned.
Not sure where to start looking? The Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) is a national charity that aims to help older people make informed choices about housing and care needs. It’s been offering advice for 30 years and annually four million people use the website. For residential care and nursing homes, the Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator in England, monitoring, inspecting and regulating services to ensure that they meet quality and safety standards.
A friend recently moved her mother into a care home, close to where she lives. It had spacious bedrooms, activities and a warm welcome for visitors, but there was more to it than that.
“The first time I went there was a tea dance for Remembrance Sunday,” my friend recalls. “Some of the residents were dancing around a grand piano and the atmosphere was fabulous. I felt sure that this would be the right home for mum. Then I discovered that the actress June Whitfield was a resident there and my mind really was made up!”
Looking for care? Here's where to start...
A free and independent service offering advice and information to older people, their families and carers about housing and care options. Tel: 0800 377 7070
A website providing information and guidance, including specialist directories of more than 40,000 retirement developments and care homes, as well as available properties.
The National Health Service website offers advice on care homes for all ages and abilities, including those run by charities or councils or private organisations. There are sections on paying for care and finding out about funding and tips on choosing a care home. It also tells you what a good care home will provide.
Information on accredited care homes, as well as GP practices and community hospitals. Good care homes must have undertaken Gold Standards training over nine months. Make sure your choice is accredited.
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