Village is perfect fit
when I first moved here, but Declan the fitness professional took me under his wing and soon had me doing exercises I initially thought would be impossible.”
But what if you’re past trying to hold back time in the gym? Well, Richmond Villages also have assisted living suites close to the village centre’s facilities, so even if you don’t want to swim every day you can still enjoy meeting friends in the communal lounge while your cleaning, laundry and cooking is done for you.
Richmond Village Suites typically have a lounge, kitchenette and ensuite bedroom but personal care is available from Richmond’s domiciliary care team.
“Most of our residents keep themselves very busy and choose from a wide range of leisure activities and hobbies, many of which are designed to maintain their health and general wellbeing,” says Paddy Brice, managing director of Richmond Villages.
“Socialising and especially making new friends is important, while volunteering and getting involved within the local community, learning and experiencing new things, travelling and cultural activity are popular.”
As well as seven-day cleaning and three-meals-a-day service, either in residents’ suites or the village restaurant, there is also 24-hour access to the onsite care team, 35 organised classes, outings and events every week and a car with driver available five days a week.
“With an ageing population we must do more as a nation to look after those in later life,” says Mr Brice, “and that includes their physical and mental well-being. At Richmond Villages, we fully recognise how essential it is for our residents to stay busy and stimulated and we ensure there’s a full and everchanging programme of activities.”
Richmond’s new Aston-on-Trent village (01332 647210; richmond-villages.com) will fully open this year with large one and two-bedroom Village Apartments for independent living, Village Suites for assisted living and a care home providing 24-hour nursing and dementia care.
It will have a wellness spa with swimming pool and gym, hair and beauty salon, a library, IT room, terrace café, garden bar and restaurant, all set within landscaped grounds with a croquet lawn.
One-bedroom apartments are for sale from £185,000 and have kitchens with integrated appliances and bathrooms that can be used as wet rooms.
There is free membership of the wellness spa, an allocated parking space and emergency 24-hour call system to the onsite care team.
New year, new you? Perhaps it’s time to take a new look at retirement villages.