You don’t have to be lonely at Christmas
DEBORAH STONE says there’s a cracker of a time to be had over the holidays thanks to a sackful of activities at retirement homes
CHRISTMAS isn’t the only time when we enjoy getting together with family and friends and, sadly, it isn’t the only time we feel lonely without them.
Loneliness affects all ages at all times but older people have the chance of a solution: moving into a retirement apartment with a communal lounge so there’s the opportunity to talk to others every day.
Many of these developments also have managers who organise social events, such as McCarthy & Stone’s Sing Your Heart Out carol singing that last year made £269,000 for Royal Voluntary Service at hospitals all over the UK.
This year’s festive fundraiser took place at 46 developments in England and Wales, all with flats still for sale, including Augustus House in Virginia Water, Surrey.
“We not only raised £500 for Royal Voluntary Service but we also raised the roof!” says its manager Angeline Bure, adding: “McCarthy & Stone is dedicated to enhancing our homeowners’ lives in so many different ways.”
Augustus House is designed for over-70s and has a club lounge and bistro restaurant for socialising, as well as a guest suite. There are landscaped gardens and 24-hour, on site staff, with one-bedroom apartments still available from £399,950 and two bedrooms from £526,950 (0800 201 4743; mccarthyandstone.co.uk).
Meanwhile at Anchor, which has properties for sale or rent, the issue of loneliness is being tackled with similar social events and by allowing residents to keep pets.
Margaret Lawson, 72, who lives in Anchor’s Bishopstoke Park retirement village, says: “Having my dog Mabel has improved my life immeasurably.
“When looking at retirement villages, I only viewed those that accepted pets – Mabel is a part of my family.
“She’s very popular with all the residents here and is a perfect conversation starter, especially when I moved in last year.
“She hasn’t just made my life better but makes everyone smile when they see her.”
It’s a similar story at Anchor’s Hampshire Lakes retirement village, where Janet McCombie, 71, lives with her cockapoo Izzie.
“Izzie became part of the family a year after my husband passed away.
“I was both grief-stricken and lonely and Izzie gave me a reason to get up in the morning and a reason to come home. She’s
made a huge difference to my life and is most definitely part of the family and the Hampshire Lakes family. Living here has been ideal as there’s plenty of woodland and green spaces for her.”
Hampshire Lakes is set in woodland next to a series of lakes, between Yateley and Sandhurst in Hampshire. It currently has 74 independent living apartments and a 36-room on-site care home, Willow Gardens, with a second phase of 45 one and two-bedroom apartments now being built.
Residents have access to the village’s wellness centre and spa, with an indoor pool and gym, as well as its Lakeside Bistro, Zest Juice Bar and Cotton’s Delicatessen.
Other facilities include a hair salon, library and landscaped gardens.
There are health and fitness activities such as aqua aerobics, yoga and “better balance” classes. There are also other clubs and outings to local attractions.
Phase two flats are now available to reserve at prices starting from £348,000 (0808 102 4177; anchor.org.uk), while at Bishopstoke Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire, the third phase of independent living apartments start from £345,000 (0808 102 4177; anchor.org.uk).
Bishopstoke Park is Anchor’s flagship retirement village and is set in woodland on the banks of the River Itchen.
It has 91 one and two-bedroom independent living apartments at the moment, with 53 more now being built.
It also has an on-site care home and leisure facilities including a swimming pool, spa and gym, juice bar, delicatessen, general store and craft room, all within the restored period building The Mount, where an award-winning restaurant takes pride of place.
Whether it’s having a pet, joining in communal activities or just having a cup of tea with a neighbour, retirement developments have never been better at banishing loneliness and providing residents with a happy Christmas and new year.