If you're finding it difficult to live in your current home then you may want to move into retirement housing.
Retirement housing usually consists of a group of individual flats or bungalows. We call this a scheme' and they can be as small as three or four bungalows grouped together, or up to 60 flats on several floors, with corridors and communal areas.
Retirement housing offers more support that either Supported Housing or Extra Care Housing, but less than nursing homes where residents can get 24-hour care and support from the staff.
In retirement housing, you live independently:
- each flat or bungalow has its own front door and door key
- you can come and go as you please
- you look after yourself and your own home
- friends, family or carers can continue to support you
Every retirement property is self-contained but they can be different sizes, such as:
- a studio flat
- a flat with one large room as both bedroom and living room, plus a separate kitchen and bathroom, suitable for one person living alone
- one bedroom flats or bungalows with a living room, kitchen and bathroom
- two bedroom flats or bungalows, usually reserved for couples or two people sharing
What support you can get in retirement housing
Most retirement housing schemes will provide some or all of these services:
- a warden or scheme manager
- a 24-hour emergency alarm system linked to a control centre
- guest bedrooms
- a communal lounge
- laundry
- repairs, gardening and outside window cleaning
- buildings insurance
Very Sheltered Housing
Very Sheltered Housing (VSH) is bigger than most retirement housing and fully accessible for wheelchair users. These flats usually have one or two bedrooms, central heating and a level access shower, with more services and facilities.
Buy or rent a retirement home
You can choose to buy or rent your retirement home.