Does the UK Need More Retirement Living Developments?

Retirement living developments and villages have helped thousands of older adults keep their independence but there could be a problem on the horizon; a serious lack of stock.

Research from the International Longevity Centre UK suggests that the population aged 65+ is set to increase from 11.2 million to 17.2 million by 2040.

The UK government is aware of the severity of the issue but as yet, little has been done to kickstart plans.

Too many older adults are living alone

The International Longevity Centre UK (ILC) predicts that by 2040:

“The vast majority of elderly people will live in standard housing while as many as 6.2 million will live alone – half of them aged 80+ – piling pressure on geographically dispersed care services.”

What’s the solution?

We need to build retirement living properties now.

Land needs to be released and planning applications need to be approved because there is already a build-up of older people, waiting to downsize.

Downsizing isn’t an easy decision

A home echoes memories of life and loved ones and leaving it to move into a smaller more manageable retirement apartment can be a big upheaval. Despite this, the need to move often outweighs the emotional tie to a home.

Research from The International Longevity Centre (ILC) found that 1 in 3 over 55s want to downsize to a more manageable property.

Making the choice to move to a retirement living complex is a big step so it can be frustrating when the choices on offer are bleak, unsuitable or too far from family. Searching for the right type of accommodation can also be a huge hurdle.

The wellbeing of older adults should be a priority

In the same research conducted by the ILC, “lower maintenance” was the most important consideration for older people when they were making the decision to downsize.

With many elderly people living alone and without help for cleaning, cooking and linen changing, the need for suitable housing with help on site is clear.

Typically, although not always, a retirement living development will offer helpful features and facilities including:

● Tailored domestic support and personal care
● 24/7 on-call staff
● Camera entry security system
● On-site restaurant
● Wheelchair access
● Private apartments
● Communal lounge for socialising
● Car parking

Older adults deserve better

Simple solutions like raised worktops, walk-in showers and non-slip floors make a huge difference to day-to-day life and the benefits of living in a community for mental wellbeing are well documented.

Neglecting the build of further retirement developments will have negative consequences for older adults now and in the future whereas an investment of attention from the UK government, as well as a further release of brownfield land, could drastically change the standard of living and quality of retirement for our ageing population.

Retirement developments benefit younger people too

The great benefit of providing high-quality options for downsizers is that it frees up housing stock for younger families.

When an older person moves into a retirement development, they typically sell-up and move from a larger, under-occupied house thereby releasing much-needed property onto the market.

Equity released from downsizing can help high streets

Pension firm Prudential has revealed that the average downsizer could achieve savings of around £112,000 over the course of their life, by selling their home.

Most retirement living developments are built near towns for ease of travel and proximity to helpful amenities. A release of equity could also give older adults greater spending power that could be put to good use helping regenerate empty high streets located near new developments.

Retirement developments are environmentally friendly

Retirement communities are often built at higher densities compared with family homes. ExtraCare Charitable Trust’s Solihull Village for example, features 261 apartments on 1.58 hectares whereas building the same number of family houses might require around 6.4 hectares.

And research by public policy consultancy WPI Strategy found that each new retirement apartment could save up to two tonnes of CO2 per year compared to building a new house.

With so many reasons to build green retirement living developments, the UK government will surely start to make it a priority.

Finding a property with age appropriate facilities is possible

Comparing multiple brochures and websites for individual retirement developments is time-consuming and often ineffective and when you need reliable information, clarity is key.

Autumna is an impartial online portal that makes finding the right retirement living property easier because you can search by your location and then use the additional filters to focus in on the facilities and services you really want.

So, for example in the search below we’ve filtered for retirement developments that have 2 bed apartments with a sea view.

If, for example, you wanted to find a retirement development in the West Midlands with one bed apartments and a swimming pool on site, then you could filter for those options on Autumna.

Alternatively, you can get the team at Autumna to send you a shortlist of retirement developments that meet your needs simply by completing this short form.

Or, if you’d prefer to speak to a human being Autumna’s friendly and helpful advisers are available on 01892 335330 seven days a week.