Advantages of downsizing to a retirement community   

Moving from what may have been one’s family home for several years to a smaller property in a retirement community is a significant change for those downsizing and can be emotionally, mentally and physically stressful. It is important to look for a new home for your older relative designed to ensure that this transition is made as smooth and stress free as possible.

This period of life is a time in which to take up, rather than to give up new hobbies, friendships and skills and it is wise to choose a new home which enables this for an elderly relative.

Here is a list of advantages which can be enjoyed by elderly people moving to a retirement community and which should help to reassure and encourage those who may feel nervous or apprehensive about such a transition.

Space for socialising

If your older relative is looking to downsize to a retirement village, it is important to pick somewhere which you feel is not just a development, but which importantly, is also a community.  It is increasingly recognised that retirement is a period of life during which there is more spare time for socialising and, as a consequence, ensuring that retirement developments incorporate public spaces for new residents to spend time together is vital. Many modern retirement communities are finished to hotel-like standards, offering private clubhouses in which residents can relax. At the top-end of these developments, the communal spaces will include games rooms, meeting room, restaurants and bars, which may be resident-run by a central committee responsible for other parties and events.  If your older parent still enjoys entertaining friends and visiting family, help them to choose a property with enough room for a dining table and with a kitchen large enough to prepare meals for company as well as themselves.

Get active

Today’s high-end retirement developments benefit from country club style facilities, allowing residents easy access to a huge range of exercise equipment and classes. Central clubhouses tend to be used for sport as well as socialising, with the best including indoor swimming pools, fitness suites (boasting the most up-to-date equipment) exercise studios and outdoor boules courts and croquet lawns. Choosing a retirement home with easy access to rural walks will encourage parents to explore the countryside around their new home and to enjoy spending time in the great outdoors.

Learn a new skill

Retirement allows for more free time in which to take up a new hobby, skill or language.  Look for a retirement community with facilities in place for residents to come together for book clubs, bridge, art lessons or lectures. Many developments encourage residents to set up their own clubs or societies, so do ask if this is possible when viewing a property, if your older relative has a niche hobby or a passion for an activity not yet on offer.

Retaining independence

Many downsizers worry about losing their independence when making a move to a retirement community, so make sure that there is both infrastructure and a team in place to support your elderly parent to continue to enjoy their independence.

Pets

Those downsizing are often anxious about being able to bring their pets with them to their new home. Although some developments do not allow pets, there are many which do not believe that residents should have to give up a much-loved member of the family and welcome pets and furthermore, design animal-friendly properties.

Accessibility

If your older relative parent uses a car to get around, it is important to ensure that there is parking available within close proximity of any new property. In the case of those who do not drive, it is important to establish what services are in place for transport in and out of nearby towns. If a bi-weekly taxi or bus service is in place, residents will be able to continue to carry out their own errands and shopping.

Essential amenities

Also check if there is a weekly housekeeping and laundry service for those who may no longer be able to cope with cleaning and for those who wish to spend their later years having fun rather than doing the washing!

Renaissance Villages is a retirement developer with decades of experience in creating and managing high quality retirement developments throughout the UK.  Current developments include Durrants Village in Faygate, near Horsham, West Sussex and Millbrook Village in Exeter, Devon, both of which boast luxury residences and leisure facilities.

For more information, please visit Renaissance Villages or call 020 8781 6111.