Make the most of the community spirit
PEOPLE want to make the most of their golden years and retirement communities can make this a reality.
There are health and wellbeing benefits to this kind of living, according to a recent study by ProMatura International.
It found that residents in retirement communities stay healthier for longer, are more active, less lonely, feel more secure, enjoy life more and have more privacy.
Auchlochan Garden Village is a retirement community set in 50 acres of Lanarkshire countryside where people can live independently but also have the chance to take part in activities and make friends if they want.
And they can have on-site assistance if they need it.
There’s a mixture of apartments with communal spaces and cottages that can be bought, partowned or rented, as well as a care home in the village.
Activities include fishing in the lochan stocked with brown trout, croquet, putting, gardening, bird watching, country walks, or tai chi, yoga and line or ceilidh dancing, as well as trips to places of interest.
The 280 villagers also have the use of a hair salon, spa and libraries, and a minibus runs daily trips to the local shops and supermarket.
“It’s a lively community and very neighbourly, which is important as loneliness is a big problem among the elderly,” said Helen Taylor, of MHA, the charity that owns Auchlochan Garden Village.
“Here, you can have peace of mind and support if you need it.”
McCarthy & Stone offer retirement apartments designed to make living easy for the over-60s.
It has developments in the Glasgow area in Newton Mearns, Milngavie, and Pollokshields, with prices from £294,000 for a two-bedroom flat.
“We aim to ensure our prospective residents have access to all the support and assistance they need to live comfortably and enjoy their retirement,” said Dawn Parker, of McCarthy & Stone.
“We’ve had a significant amount of interest from people who want to enjoy their retirement in an area they are familiar with but are looking to downsize to a more manageable property with lower maintenance.”
While many people choose to downsize, an alternative is equity release.
Independent financial adviser David Scott, of Clydebank Financial Services, said: “There is a lot more choice among providers now and a significant reduction in interest rates.
“These factors make equity release an attractive option for those who want to stay in their own homes but adapt them and make them more comfortable for later life.”