Enjoy Life

What we really look for in retirement living

Retirees shun pools and spas in favour of WiFi and greenery when it comes to retirement living

UK now has 11.8 million over 65s (Age UK)

85% of those aged 70+ prioritise adaptations to their existing home (Silk Road)

Number of centenarians up 65% in past 10 years (Age UK)

Cost and healthcare facilities are top priorities for retirement home living (Silk Road)

With 11.8 million people aged 5+ in the UK according to Age UK, the options available to those in the later stages of life have never been more important.

Independence and dignity are key themes of concern for many of those whose housing options change as they become more frail. Over the last 10 years, the number of those living past 100 has increased by 65%.

This has prompted the property innovation experts at Silk Road to take a fresh look at what it is that people want and need from their retirement living arrangements. The company surveyed 200 of those aged 70 and above in order to gain insights into their priorities.

"We didn;t want to make assumptions about what older people want from their retirement accommodation, so we took the time to find out first-hand what their priorities are. This is essential data for those building retirement homes and communities for our ageing population - we need to be building the right kinds of homes to suit those who will be living in them and when it comes to promoting independence and dignity, the right design can make a huge difference." James Fenner, Founder and MD, Silk Road

The Silk Road team found that making adaptations to a person's current home, in order to enable them to live there longer, appealed to 84.73% of respondents.

This highlights the importance of companies that can bring technology into existing premises, from stair lifts to fall detection floors, which contact a nominated individual should they detect a fall.

Survey respondents identified being able to be self-sufficient and maintaining independence for as long as possible as top priorities. For those considering moving into a retirement home/community, compassionate care and access to outside space were among the key considerations.

Understandably, 92.1% of individuals felt that the healthcare facilities on offer were either very important or quite important, while 90.2% flagged up the importance of cost. Lifestyle facilities were ranked as very important or quite important by 85.7% of respondents.

Of those, fast WiFi/broadband topped the list of what's important, as the internet continues to provide a way for tech-savvy older people to engage with the rest of the world.

Respondents ranked its importance as 7.68 out of 10, while gardens came a close second (6.69 out of 10), followed by the availability of a local transport service(6.33 out of 10). A guest room for friends and family was next on the priority list (at 6.14 out of 10), with 85.8% of those aged 70+ ranking proximity to friends and family as very or quite important.

In terms of leisure facilities, the Silk Road survey found that, after lounge areas and reading rooms, a bar was the most important consideration for the majority of older residents. That was followed by a swimming pool, cinema, gymnasium and spa. The human element of the environment was also important, with 83.3% of people ranking a sense of community as being very or quite important to them.

"Above all I want it to feel familiar, offer privacy, have kind people there and make me feel happy." Silk Road survey respondent

Ultimately, this is what developers need to deliver in order to provide our older people with the dignity and independence that they deserve.

Other stories in Enjoy Life

The real cost of your wine
Cooking for one
Baking made easy
Stardust Memories
Staying safe in the Summer heat: Drowning prevention
Surprisingly Good Wholegrain Recipes: Savoury
Afternoon Tea Recipes
Are you ready for retirement?
Reaching out to Dementia Sufferers: Sporting Memories Network
End of the road for a pop icon
Anti-ageing Options
Anti-ageing Options Part 2
The Secret to Younger Looking Eyes
Volunteering for Nature
Brits Embracing 'Urban Birding'
Here's to you Mrs Robinson
Emily Watson "I'ts such a gypsy life"
Garden Expert: Soaking up the sun
Studious retiree heads back to school
Hawks: Up close and personal
Prepare to feel ancient...
Don't miss out on the internet age
Growing old is amazing
World' first 'wellness shed' stirs up mindfulness
Why winter shouldn't stop you: don't wait until New Year
Writing the story of you life
Dame Eileen and a Crowning glory
85 year old Grandmother gains a PhD
Jodie Whittaker: "Doctor Who is all about change"
Counter culture: The revival of the board game
Interior Design: Wedding bells on a budget
Do you remember? Oliver!
Cliff Richard "I have a deeper faith now"
New Year, new beauty habits
Why antique jewellery is glittering
A gentleman's guide to spring fashion
BR remembered... 70 years on
Interior Design: Moroccan inspired drawers
Have your cake and eat your Easter egg too!
Craft Corner: Sweet Easter Basket
Dr Norman Croucher: The toughest summit of them all
In your garden: October 2019
Beetroot and Walnut Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Scandi-style Mules for Swollen Feet
Declutter your home, and clear your mind
Grand Treats for Grandchildren
Healthy reasons to acquire a taste for olives
The Austerity Olympics
Beauty: Denise Welch "I love the shape I'm in at 60"
Hail the grandparent aupairs
Your views: Can you help?
The nation's most popular cake recipes
How to take care of your hair over-50
Totally Tina Tour
Baking With Veg
Walking back to happiness
The rise and rise of the birthday cake
Interior Design: Great Gatsby Cabinet
A second chance at love
Interior Design: Less is more in minimalist home
Plant Power Day: 7th March 2019
Bob Dylan "Rock and Roll music wasn’t enough for me”
Get Sewing: Quilted pot-holder
MasterChef: Classic with a Twist
Visit Family Tree Live
Pets need a spring clean too
Interior Design: Maximise your living space
The Vegan Revolution
Spanish Recipes: Small is beautiful
Beauty: Get set for spring...
Find your family fortunes... for FREE!
Get Sewing: Floral bespoke notebook cover
A life-affirming book... about death
Eat Continental and live longer
‘In Vogue’ Veg – Cavolo Nero Sales Grow by 14%
Finding Fitness Starts With Fashion
Summer fun at Belvoir Castle
Interior design: Inspiration for outdoor spaces
Look good and feel great with CBD
British Library: Palace of the printed word
Beauty: Say 'Allo 'Allo to an alluring look