What Type of Retirement Home Would Suit Me Best?

When choosing a retirement home it is not simply a case of choosing the one that you most like the look of. You will have to look at its location, it facilities and what condition it is in and ask yourself what you want from the property.

If it is care that you seek the Care Quality Commission is responsible for inspecting all registered care homes in the UK and writes reports on the standard of the homes. If you have any underlying health issues it is worth contacting them to find out if they can recommend a good home in your area.

These few questions should help you assess what retirement home will suit you best, whether you are looking for full time care or independent living.

1) How Is Your Health?

• A) I suffer from serious health issues and need constant care
• B) I have no serious health issues but would like to be close to facilities if I need them
• C) I have no health issues

2) What Do You Want From Retirement?

• A) To relax
• B) To have a good standard of living
• C) To be as active as possible

3) How Much Can You Afford To Pay?

• A) Money is not an issue
• B) I am looking for a property similar to the one I currently own
• C) I need to downsize from my current property

4) How Social Do You Want To Be?

• A) I want to be around people all of the time
• B) I don’t mind
• C) I don’t want to live in a closed community

Mostly A- A Retirement Home With Special Facilities

Some sort of retired care community sounds like it would suit your needs. If you need constant supervision there are a number of assisted communities that will be able to help you. They can provide everything you need from your laundry to your cooking and any medical help you require.

These however are the most costly kind of retirement properties as you will need to pay an upfront fee and a monthly fee on top of this. It also means that you will be around others constantly, which is a good thing if this is the kind of environment you want to live in. It doesn’t always have to mean that you will be living in and out of each other’s pockets. Some communities will offer homes, cottages and flats as part of the care community, so you can still have some sort of independent living but with the essential care provided.

Mostly B - You Need Your Independence

A retirement village with some form of independent living sounds like it would suit your needs. People are often concerned that living in a retirement village means you will have no freedom. There are however some communities that still offer this, but also have the option to provide health care.

These can offer good standards of living and are not as expensive as other forms of retirement communities. There are also options such as days out and excursions, which can be good for your social life.

Mostly C – The Choice Is Yours

A retirement village might not be for you. From your answers it sounds like you are well enough and adventurous enough to go it alone. It maybe is an option for you to stay in your own home or perhaps move location so you are somewhere where there is a bit more to do. If however you don’t want to stay in your own home you should try and choose a retirement village either in the UK or abroad that can offer you an element of independence but also lots of activities and social events.

There are some luxurious retirement villages abroad which can seem more like holiday villages than homes. It goes without saying though that the more you pay the more you will get in return, but if money is an issue you may want to choose more basic accommodation but in an area where there are lots of social activities.

Retirement accommodation no longer has the same stigma attached to it that it used to. Many retirement villages can offer a comfortable and convenient way to retire. It is important though to do your homework and visit as many retirement homes as you can and make sure the one you choose is right for your needs.