The Key to Enjoying Life in Retirement
At ELM Group, our tagline is to ‘promote independence’, and those who opt for independent retirement living get just that. They can enjoy the benefits of being part of a community of like-minded individuals, get involved in social activities and discover new hobbies, all while having peace of mind that the property and grounds are well taken care of, even when they are away.
The most extensive and comprehensive survey ever conducted of residents in UK retirement communities in 2019, revealed that individuals residing in Retirement Communities generally experience healthier, more active, more social, more secure, and overall happier lives compared to those who have not yet made the move to a Retirement Community (ProMatura and ARCO, 2019*).
So, what are some of the key benefits to living in an independent retirement community?
An Opportunity to Make New Friends
“71% of residents surveyed, saw moving into a Retirement Community as an opportunity to make new friends and connections.”
Independent living is a community for people who want to enjoy their retirement to the fullest. Most of our estates hold regular coffee mornings, dinners and outings, and they have a range of activities that residents have the option to take part in whether that be ‘crafternoons’, chair aerobics or bingo. It’s a great way to meet new people and form new social connections.
Whilst Age UK highlighted that “1.4 million older people in the UK are often lonely”, by contrast, another study found that older people who live in retirement communities (whether that be independent living or extra care facilities) are likely to experience lower levels of social isolation and loneliness:
“82% of residents surveyed said they hardly or never felt isolated, and only 1% often felt isolated. ”
When someone feels socially isolated, this feeling can often be overcome quickly by increasing the number of people they come into contact with. Retirement communities are a great solution to this, providing a way to surround yourself with other like-minded people and find a greater sense of community.
A Push to be More Active & Help you Stay Healthier for Longer
People are remaining active and healthy for much longer these days and therefore, many adults approaching retirement age find that independent living offers them the unique gift of time to master hobbies, travel, spend time with family, and enjoy other ventures that they might not have time for should they be responsible for maintaining their own properties. The age range varies considerably at our estates, and we often find that our younger residents breathe life into the estates’ social calendars, which is a benefit for all to enjoy.
The ARCO/ProMatura report found that individuals living in Retirement Communities are more likely to be active and maintain their health for longer. The research indicated that residents were between 2-5 times more likely than non-residents to participate in a variety of activities, including attending social events, dining out, exercising, and trying new activities, more frequently than they had previously.
Allow you to Enjoy Life More
Many people often find their schedules become much fuller after making the move to an independent living development as you’re able to shed the boring aspects of never-ending home maintenance, like pulling weeds and cleaning windows, freeing up your time to invest in hobbies, spend time with loved ones and do the things that you enjoy.
For some this may be a quiet evening in with a cup of tea and a good book, for others it is evenings out, joining clubs and taking part in fun group activities. Often it is the flexibility to do a bit of both, which makes independent living communities such an attractive setting for people.
The majority of residents surveyed by ARCO/Promatura, agreed or strongly agreed that their quality of life was higher, and their lives were better at the time of surveying than it was a year prior – 55%
Help you Feel More Secure in Your Home
Independent living is a community for people who want to enjoy their retirement to the fullest and those who seek a carefree lifestyle, allowing them to pack up and go on holiday with reassurance that someone is keeping a watchful eye on their home, making sure external windows are cleaned, lawns are mowed, and post isn’t piling up. The majority of our managed estates have a Visiting or Resident Estate Manager who is on site to provide assistance if needed, as well as an out of hours call centre for emergencies which helps provide peace of mind that if anything were to happen, there is help at hand.
93% of residents surveyed in retirement communities felt “there was a safety net in place if things went wrong, as opposed to only 40% of non-residents, residents were also twice as likely as non-residents to strongly agree that they feel safe and secure.”
Help you Feel More in Control of Your Life, While Still Maintaining Your Privacy
“The vast majority of respondents (97%) agreed that they had privacy when they wanted it and felt more in control of their lives”. The clue is in the name – ‘independent living’ - giving people the independence to live in their own home and the freedom to choose their own lifestyle. There is a common misconception stemming from the belief that retirement developments are the same as care homes or are associated with hospitals. In reality, independent living communities are far more homely and comfortable, with some more in keeping with a 5-star luxury hotel, than a hospital. The grounds are beautifully maintained, the interiors stylishly decorated, with modern furnishings, and they are full of like-minded people wanting to enjoy life and their retirement.
There are many events and social activities available to join, but you are not obliged to do so, it is up to you how much or how little alone time you want, you are free to come and go as you wish, and your home is private to you.
Perhaps the most interesting finding from the report for us was that “90% of residents thought they had moved into a Retirement Community at just the right time in their lives....and 6% would rather they’d moved in sooner”.
So, if you or someone you know is thinking about making the move, it’s worth considering independent retirement developments as an attractive option for “rightsizing” and, contrary to what many believe, not everybody living in these types of communities are on the older side of the spectrum. In fact, they are from a huge range of ages and backgrounds, and they see value in purchasing a retirement property they can make their own without having to be physically responsible for costly and time-consuming building and grounds maintenance.
To find out more about life on one of our estates, our management services or to read some useful FAQs, visit: https://www.elmgroup.org.uk/customers.
* The research, carried out in partnership between ProMatura International and ARCO (the Associated Retirement Community Operators) included a total of 2,799 residents from 81 Retirement Communities run by 15 operators. 1,111 older people who were considering a move into Retirement Communities also took part in the research.
Housing, health and care. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.arcouk.org/sites/default/files/ProMatura%20report%20summary.pdf
Brian Beach. (2015). Village Life Independence, Loneliness, and Quality of Life in Retirement Villages with Extra Care. [Online]. ILCUK. Available at: https://ilcuk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Village-Life-ILC-UK-Report.pdf [Accessed 25 November 2024].