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

November DVD reviews
November's Music Reviews
November book reviews
October's DVD reviews
October's New CD releases
October's book reviews
September's DVD Reviews
DVD selection for August 2023
September's book reviews
Latest music reviews August 2023
August Round up
August Paperback Reviews
August hardback book reviews
July 2023 Roundup
Pick of the paperbacks July 2023
July 23 Hardback book reviews
July 2023 DVD releases
July 2023 CD reviews
Pick of the paperbacks June 2023
June DVDs
Hardback book reviews - June 2023
Simon Evans CD Reviews for June 2023
Tesco Summer indoors and out
Book reviews
May 2023 paperback book reviews
May 2023 Hardback book reviews
May's DVD Selection
May's CD selection
Round up of April 2023's book reviews
April 2023 paperback reviews
April 2023 Hardback book reviews
More March 2023 must-reads
March - Pick of the paperbacks
March hardback recommendations
Afternoon Tea
March 2023 - DVD releases
March 2023 Music
February 2023 Books Round up
Pick of the paperbacks - February 2023
Book reviews February 2023
DVD recommendations
February's music reviews
Freedom on two wheels
Make do and mend
Foray into the Fens
Christmas reads
Tasty, healthy recipes by Joanne Wood
Keeping fit and healthy with the Green goddess Part 2
Keeping fit and healthy with the Green goddess Part 1
Finger-licking Good! Tasty Chicken recipes
Beauty: Say 'Allo 'Allo to an alluring look
British Library: Palace of the printed word
Look good and feel great with CBD
Interior design: Inspiration for outdoor spaces
Summer fun at Belvoir Castle
Finding Fitness Starts With Fashion
‘In Vogue’ Veg – Cavolo Nero Sales Grow by 14%
Eat Continental and live longer
A life-affirming book... about death
Get Sewing: Floral bespoke notebook cover
Find your family fortunes... for FREE!
Beauty: Get set for spring...
Spanish Recipes: Small is beautiful
The Vegan Revolution
Interior Design: Maximise your living space
Pets need a spring clean too
Visit Family Tree Live
MasterChef: Classic with a Twist
Get Sewing: Quilted pot-holder
Bob Dylan "Rock and Roll music wasn’t enough for me”
Plant Power Day: 7th March 2019
Interior Design: Less is more in minimalist home
A second chance at love
Interior Design: Great Gatsby Cabinet
The rise and rise of the birthday cake
Walking back to happiness
Baking With Veg
Totally Tina Tour
How to take care of your hair over-50
The nation's most popular cake recipes
Your views: Can you help?
Hail the grandparent aupairs
Beauty: Denise Welch "I love the shape I'm in at 60"
The Austerity Olympics
Healthy reasons to acquire a taste for olives
Grand Treats for Grandchildren
Declutter your home, and clear your mind
Scandi-style Mules for Swollen Feet
Beetroot and Walnut Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
In your garden: October
Dr Norman Croucher: The toughest summit of them all
Craft Corner: Sweet Easter Basket
Have your cake and eat your Easter egg too!
Interior Design: Moroccan inspired drawers
BR remembered... 70 years on
A gentleman's guide to spring fashion
Why antique jewellery is glittering
New Year, new beauty habits
Cliff Richard "I have a deeper faith now"
Do you remember? Oliver!
Interior Design: Wedding bells on a budget
Counter culture: The revival of the board game
Jodie Whittaker: "Doctor Who is all about change"
85 year old Grandmother gains a PhD
Dame Eileen and a Crowning glory
Writing the story of you life
Why winter shouldn't stop you: don't wait until New Year
World' first 'wellness shed' stirs up mindfulness
Growing old is amazing
Don't miss out on the internet age
Prepare to feel ancient...
Hawks: Up close and personal
Studious retiree heads back to school
Garden Expert: Soaking up the sun
Emily Watson "I'ts such a gypsy life"
Here's to you Mrs Robinson
Brits Embracing 'Urban Birding'
Volunteering for Nature
The Secret to Younger Looking Eyes
Anti-ageing Options Part 2
Anti-ageing Options
End of the road for a pop icon
Reaching out to Dementia Sufferers: Sporting Memories Network
Are you ready for retirement?
Afternoon Tea Recipes
Surprisingly Good Wholegrain Recipes: Savoury
Staying safe in the Summer heat: Drowning prevention
Stardust Memories
Baking made easy
Cooking for one
The real cost of your wine