Assisted LivingAssisted Living Homes
What is a retirement property?
Retirement homes can range from those that are completely independent, to homes that are specifically aimed at home buyers that need to have assisted facilities available. Residents for the latter usually need to be over 55 or 60.
Retirement homes with assisted facilities include amenities such as:
- Excellent security and fire alarm systems in place so that residents can get immediate help in emergencies, and CCTV is quite common in many purpose built retirement developments as well as 24 hour emergency call facilities
- A House Manager or Warden on hand to assist with any queries
- Convenient features such as waist high plug sockets and lifts
- Individual apartments with ensuite bathrooms and kitchens giving residents complete independence
- Communal areas such as a central lounge, waitress service restaurants and garden
- Many retirement properties are conveniently located close to the local shops and transport links
- Some retirement developments even have guest suites where family and friends can come and stay
Considerations when searching for a new retirement property
Location
You might want to consider how far away you want to live from where you are currently living and whether you want to stay near to family and friends. In addition consider if you don’t have your own transport, where the local transport links are and how far it would be for you to get into the local town centre.
You might be considering buying an overseas property – you can visit our overseas section where you will have access to many new international properties available to buy now.
Suitability
Many specialised retirement properties feature waist high fixtures and fittings, and have extra wide doors to allow for walking frames or wheel chairs. If you have specific needs, it is advisable that you check that the development caters for your requirements.
Safety and Security
Generally, retirement housing is very security conscious. Things you may wish to consider when looking to buy a retirement property whether there is CCTV , an alarm system or perhaps a TV entry system. In addition check whether there are fire detection alarms and a good link to emergency services.
Design
Consider what type of development you would like to live in. You may prefer a home to an apartment, and if an apartment then you might want to think about what floor you would like to be on, and whether there are lifts available and if not what the alternatives are. In terms of your new home, some home builders offer a design and fixtures and fitting service to help you decide on the décor of your home as well as fitting in with your own furniture or to help you choose new.
Facilities
When looking for a new retirement home, you might want to consider the types of facilities available, such as if you are a keen outdoors person, is there a big communal garden.
For more information about buying retirement housing, Age Concern have produced a fact sheet to give more indepth information. Click here to read the pdf.
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