With many choices for those looking to downsize from the family home, Marina Jordan offers good advice on where to begin
As our loved ones grow older, living in the family home might become more of a challenge. Climbing the stairs, getting out of the bath, maintaining a large house and garden or managing the cost of heating a big home can all become issues. Maybe it’s time to consider a retirement living option.
There are three main types of retirement accommodation to consider: retirement homes, perhaps in a retirement village; independent living, also known as sheltered housing; or extra-care housing, sometimes referred to as assisted or ‘independent living plus’ – with varying degrees of personal assistance.
The care home option
If your relative is too physically or mentally infirm to care for themselves, a care home is the best solution. Visiting care homes in person is key to ensuring that they meet the needs and level of support your loved one requires. Ask the staff plenty of questions while you’re looking around and, if possible, speak to the residents and their families too.
Bear in mind that weekly fees are likely to range from £1,500 to £2,000 until the resident reaches the savings threshold of £23,250. Care UK offers a free care needs and funding assessment. Explore other options below, too.
Hallmark Homes
(Arlington Manor, Girton)
hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk
Hamberley Care Homes
(Cambridge Grove)
hamberleycarehomes.co.uk
Porthaven Care Homes
(Barley Manor, Shelford)
porthaven.co.uk
Retirement homes
Retirement homes are generally age-controlled, self-contained flats that offer an easy, secure and comfortable lifestyle. While residents can maintain their independence and privacy, retirement flats are often supported by a daytime duty manager or warden and out-of-hours assistance via a call centre. Some provide shared gardens, restaurants, communal lounges, activity studios and even swimming pools and cinemas.
Options range from social housing developments to luxury retirement villages. The Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) can advise on finance options, such as paying a deposit then taking out a lifetime mortgage or buying a home for a lifetime plan or lifetime lease. Your relative might also be eligible for housing benefits.
Case study: Uplands Place
Uplands Place in Great Cambourne, Cambridgeshire is a retirement village of 28 one-bedroom and 25 two-bedroom properties, available for purchase, shared ownership or rent for residents aged over 60. One-bedroom flats start from around £250,000, with weekly service charges of £60, while rent for a two-bedroom apartment is about £2,100 per month (inclusive of service charges). It boasts a town-centre location with a roof terrace, landscaped gardens, communal lounge and bar, as well as a 24/7 call system.
Case study: Denis Wilson Court
Denis Wilson Court in Trumpington offers 52 studio, one- and three-bedroom flats as affordable social retirement housing for residents aged over 60. It features a communal lounge, garden, laundry, resident management staff and Careline alarm service. Social activities include coffee mornings, lunches, bingo, keep fit and outings, and cats and dogs can be accommodated. Weekly charges are in the range of £100-£200 for rent, £40 service and support and £20 utility.
Independent living
Independent living or sheltered housing accommodation provides a safe place to live with communal facilities, allowing residents to maintain their independence, but also receive any extra support they might require. Most independent living schemes are available as self-contained flats or bungalows on a single site, with access to a 24/7 duty warden, emergency alarms, communal dining and activities, housekeeping services to help with laundry, cleaning and shopping, and occasionally a handyman.
Personal care such as washing, dressing and nursing are not provided. For this, residents would have to pay for an external carer to come in and help on a daily basis.
Just like independent retirement living, bills, insurance and maintenance charges will apply. Age UK and EAC offer advice on housing and care needs, as well as information about sheltered housing, available to rent privately.
Case study: Warburton House
Warburton House in Cambridge is for residents aged over 55 and offers 29 rental one-bedroom apartments and 45 shared-ownership two-bedroom apartments. Residents can enjoy social activities, gardens, a launderette and a hair salon. A two-bedroom apartment costs around £400,000 bought as 75% shared ownership for £300,000, monthly service charge around £275 (no ground rent).
Case study: Cavendish Court
Cavendish Court in Cambourne – for residents over 65 – comprises 18 two-bedroom and 30 one-bedroom apartments with a 24/7 duty manager and 1.5 hours of housekeeping per week. There’s a restaurant, gardens and laundry service, coffee mornings, film and quiz nights and themed lunches. One-bedroom apartments are on sale from around £100,000 (£700 monthly service charge, £315 annual ground rent) and two bedrooms from £170,000 (£830 monthly service charge, £450 annual ground rent).
Extra-care assisted living
These age-exclusive accommodation options – usually described as extra-care housing or independent living plus – enable older people to maintain their independence within an environment where further needs can be addressed. Offering independent-style accommodation with additional communal facilities and social activities, these properties have a manager and trained teams on site around the clock to provide personal care, such as assistance with washing, dressing, going to the toilet or taking medication, as well as shopping and laundry services and meal provision.
Extra-care housing facilities are regularly inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care in England. The EAC Housing Care website lists 32 extra-care housing options in the Cambridgeshire area together with their CQC report ratings.
Case study: Mill View
BPHA-run Mill View in Hauxton, Cambridgeshire is for over-55s and has 25 one-bedroom rental, plus 45 shared-ownership one- or two-bed apartments, all with a balcony or terrace. There’s a vibrant social calendar, bistro, roof terrace, salon and a weekly bus to the supermarket. A two-bedroom apartment costs around £345,000 bought as 75% shared ownership for £258,750; monthly service charge £540 (no ground rent).
Case study: Strawberry Fields
Strawberry Fields in Stapleford, South Cambridgeshire is an extra-care development for over-60s. It offers 147 one- to three-bedroom flats and bungalows with gardens, alongside amenities such as a bar and bistro with a terrace, boules and croquet, a swimming pool, dance studios, a shop, a salon, a wellbeing centre and 24/7 on-site care staff. Properties are expected to cost £400,000 to £750,000.
