Banishing winter blues with McCarthy & Stone in Lydney

This month, loneliness among the over-65s hit the headlines, with research by Age Concern* revealing that more than one in ten always – or often – feel lonely; almost half consider television their main form of company; and half a million spent Christmas Day alone.

However, Lydney resident Celia Dunn, who bought an apartment at McCarthy & Stone’s Kings Meadow Court development two years ago, believes moving to a retirement development is the perfect solution for anyone living on their own in later life to combat loneliness and isolation.

Celia, 62, explains: “The snow this month has really brought to the forefront of my mind why I love being at a retirement development. As a widow, the thought of those being alone in their house during this weather must be a nightmare. They would have been housebound and completely isolated.

“Instead, at Kings Meadow Court, I’ve been able to pop down to the residents’ lounge any time of day and find someone to have a chat with. The lounge is really warm and cosy and is used by all residents here to meet, read, play cards and socialise meaning anyone who is looking for company can find it! We have a coffee morning every day for those who wish to attend and, as we don’t have to tackle the icy streets, these have been able to continue throughout the bad weather.

“Furthermore, being part of a community such as this means I know I will never be isolated. I can knock on my neighbours’ door or speak to the house manager, who oversees the running of the development, if I have a problem. And if I really get into difficulty, there is a 24 hour emergency Careline call point in my apartment.

“In fact, just this week, one of the residents’ daughters brought some of us who couldn’t venture out to the shops essential supplies on a sledge!

“However, there seems to be a misconception that retirement developments are simply care homes but this couldn’t be further from the truth. When my husband died, I told my daughter that I wanted to move to a retirement development and she too was quite sceptical – until she saw one! Now she thinks it’s like living in a hotel!

“The main point of difference is that everyone has their own front door so while we all look out for each other, we can still get on with our own life without interference from others. We can even bring a pet with us when we move or invite friends and family to stay in the development’s guest suite!”

But in addition to being part of a community, there are other benefits of living at a retirement development, as McCarthy & Stone sales executive Terry-Ann Miller explains: “It is true that there is a real community spirit at Kings Meadow Court but the benefits don’t just end there. Take this bad weather for example, residents didn’t need to worry about clearing the drive of snow or mending a fence that had blown down because this was taken care of by the management company.

“In addition, our apartments are designed to be low maintenance. Many people who buy here are struggling with the upkeep of their current home and garden or simply don’t need as much space any more.”

This is indeed another huge benefit from Celia Dunn, as she explains: “Before moving to Kings Meadow Court, I lived in a three bedroom detached house with a garden and it just became too much for me. My apartment is so easy to keep clean and requires little or no maintenance and this means I’ve got much more time to enjoy my retirement!

“There is a garden at Kings Meadow Court, which is starting to really mature, and I’m looking forward to enjoying it during spring and summer – without the hard work!”

Kings Meadow Court is an exclusive development of 43 one and two bedroom retirement apartments, situated in a peaceful location in the thriving town of Lydney in the Forest of Dean.

See Also: Property News (6699), McCarthy and Stone (109), Lydney (4), Kings Meadow Court (3)