5 benefits of retirement living at Christmas

What do people enjoy about retirement living during the festive period?

This article will update you on retirement living advantages, such as:

• A strong sense of community.
• Increased safety and security.
• Winter wellbeing.
• Freedom from household tasks.
• Inclusive festive events.

Retirement living during the winter

There are different types of retirement living available to people in the UK. Traditionally, these have been apartment-style settings with access to a range of social and leisure activities.

Retirement living has moved on a step from this standard due to the evolution of integrated retirement communities. With many similarities between the two settings, one key difference is that integrated retirement living offers the option of varying levels of care and support if required.

As Britain begins to enjoy the fullness of the winter season, some might feel this would be an odd time to move or consider moving into a retirement living community. Nevertheless, it’s true to say that there are so many positives to this lifestyle which might come as a bit of a surprise.

In the run up to the festive season, some older people are fully invested in the joy of Christmas preparations. However, it may not always be the case that diaries are full of enjoyable festive events with friends and family.

The Independent looks into how older people may feel around this time of year in this video.

Even if there are already sociable occasions booked in, there is little doubt that being part of a retirement living community can transform lives and bring the fun back into the festive season.

So, what are the top 5 ways that retirement living communities create more inclusive environments for their residents?

1. Strong Sense Of Community

Moving home at any age can be a daunting prospect and that’s just as true for older people. But when things are becoming challenging at home – and there’s no one to help with daily tasks or a real sense of loneliness sets in – making the decision to move into retirement living can enhance life for the better.

In a recent report, ARCO found that residents in retirement communities were healthier for longer, more active and less lonely as a result of their environment compared to those who had not yet moved.

Key findings in this report also revealed that 90% of residents thought they had moved into a retirement community at just the right time in their lives, with 6% stating they wished they’d moved in sooner.

71% of residents saw moving into a retirement community as a chance to make new friends, as the report demonstrated that a huge margin of the residents they polled believed their lives are now better than they were a year ago.

Why do so many current residents feel this way? Retirement villages often create a sense of communal living, with shared activities regularly on offer, like trips or visits from relevant groups, or even on-site hairdressers, gyms and cinemas.

Living within a community and preserving a sense of real personal independence is encouraged in good retirement living settings. Having your own space while knowing there’s a group of people all around you that often have similar interests is a boost for many seniors.

During the retirement community decision-making process, potential residents will no doubt have considered all the leisure activities they enjoy or that they would love to try if they had the chance. Once you’re there and living that life, these activities will be available whenever you feel like trying them out.

Plus, communities usually have a calendar of attractive events each week or month so that residents can book or highlight in advance what they want to take part in and arrange their social diary ahead of time.

There’s also the added bonus of group trips where the transport is already in place, removing the need to join motorways or busy roads and taking the stress out of the experience. Going on such outings enables residents to sit, chat and get to know other people better while having an enjoyable day together.

2. Increased safety and security

A concern that is shared time and time again among seniors is the ability to ensure they are safe and feel secure in their home, especially in the darker winter months. With retirement communities, there are enhanced security levels in place, such as security doors and reception management with visitor check-in.

Many feature security cameras and well-lit areas so that residents feel safe and can talk to someone if they need support in any way. During the colder, darker evenings this is essential for seniors so they can go out to enjoy themselves and feel they have someone looking out for them if they have a question or need wellbeing advice.

Some organisations, such as Churchill Retirement Living, offer apartments with a selection of safety and security features, such as a careline support system. This is connected to 24-hour support so residents have direct contact with the management team if necessary.

McCarthy Stone provides an enhanced service for residents that are looking for that little bit extra. It’s called Retirement Living Plus which can encompass chef-run restaurants, domestic support or wellness suites.

3. Winter wellbeing

In a 2021 report, the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) detailed the findings of a study where loneliness is ‘strongly linked’ to depression in older adults. A key recommendation from the report suggests that community-based social approaches are very effective in promoting wellbeing during the winter months.

Beating the winter blues with regular social contact among peers, building new friendships and enjoying social companionship are all vital to generating feelings of happiness and wellbeing when it’s cold outside.

Those making their home in retirement communities don’t have to grapple with clearing snow off their paths to make it outside to meet a friend. Nor do they have to deal with slippery walkways or icy driving conditions so that they can connect with others.

There’s also the additional advantage of community activity available as and when residents want to join in. Keeping mentally and physically active can be beneficial for many seniors and taking part in scheduled events with familiar friends can support cognitive strength and physical longevity. In settings such as Adlington Retirement villages, there are plenty of health and fitness activities which residents can enjoy, from yoga to games’ nights and exercise groups.

This Age UK video gives some advice around protecting wellbeing in winter.

4. Freedom from household tasks

The whole point about moving into retirement living is to get the most out of life. The stress of daily domestic chores is taken away, safety and security are strengthened and social and leisure activities – whatever residents like to do – are prioritised.





Very few people look forward to trying to mend a broken boiler or washing machine. Painting and decorating may be a pleasure for some, but not for all. That’s why living within a retirement community can help seniors enjoy their day-to-day, without having to try and find a plumber to bleed the radiators.

An example of this is within the Anchor Retirement Living villages, which provide 24-hour surveillance and property maintenance on hand for residents.

5. Festive magic

The excitement of the festive season is just as important to people growing older as it is to younger groups. There are so many opportunities for retirement communities to maximise the potential of Christmas and other celebratory occasions in winter.

To illustrate, Middleton Hall Retirement Village organises Christmas fairs, Christmas garden parties and wreath-making workshops to decorate residents’ doors.

In Richmond Villages there are events such as festive carols or evenings with canapes and mulled wine to celebrate the season.

Retirement living communities like to go the extra mile to ensure residents can enjoy the season if they want to join in, keep healthy and feel secure at home.

How can I find out more about the best retirement communities in the UK?

Growing numbers of people are using Autumna's online directory to find the best retirement living villages and communities throughout the UK. If you are looking for a retirement property, then just go to this page and type in the location that best suits you. Whether you're looking in Surrey, Suffolk, Somerset or Scotland or in fact anywhere in the UK, Autumna will have a retirement living development to suit you.

If you're short of time and would like our expert team to search for retirement communities for you, just complete this short form and let us know exactly what later life needs are important to you? We will then filter your search and send you a shortlist of those retirement development that best match your needs.

If you'd prefer to speak to us, then please do call our Advice Line on 01892 335 330. The line is open seven days a week. (8:30am - 5:30pm Mon-Fri, 10am - 5pm Sat, 10am - 4pm Sun).

Alternatively email us here: info@autumna.co.uk