By Dr. Stephen Ladyman (pictured), former Minister for Health, responsible for Social Care and founder of Oak Retirement – the team behind Hampshire’s new luxury retirement village, Friary Meadow.
Retirement, whilst an exciting prospect for some, can also be somewhat daunting. Many worry about what it means, and how they’ll cope without the sense of ‘purpose’ often given by work. Others worry about a loss of independence, fearing that retirement could be the start of a downward spiral of ageing.
Average life expectancy in the UK is rising, with the number of 85-year-olds expected to double by 2026. Given this then, it’s important that those reaching retirement age recognise the positives.
Retirement frees you up to do all the things you wanted to do whilst working but didn’t have the time. You have many years left to live and enjoy, embracing new things and taking on new projects.
Of course, though, ageing does have its drawbacks as we lose the physical capabilities of youth. It’s important we stay active for as long as we can to counteract the effects of ageing, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look to establish support early on.
This is where extra-care living can help.
Downsizing to a retirement property within an extra-care environment provides residents with a level of assistance that comes into play as health or mobility deteriorates. They stay independent for longer, with care on hand should it be needed.
The extra-care model, as recommended by the Department of Health (DoH), offers greater health benefits than standard retirement properties. According to DOH estimates, over the course of the next 20 years, an additional 1.7m people will have a potential care need. Extra-care delivers this through on-hand domiciliary care. Indeed, about 25 per cent of residents entering extra-care go on to experience improvements in their health due, in part, to easy access to onsite flexible care that adapts to their changing needs.
Extra-care living often serves to offer an increased sense of purpose too. According to a recent landmark study – published in JAMA Network Open, and questioning more than 6,000 people – pensioners who feel they have a purpose in life have “double the chance” of enjoying a long retirement.
Providing easy access to communal facilities, extra-care encourages people to meet others, make friends and socialise, allowing them to carry on life as normal. One of the biggest causes of ill-health amongst older people, is from depression linked to loneliness. An extra-care environment offers that sense of community, serving to nullify any feelings of isolation, whilst residents still retain their own home and space.
The personal benefits of entering an extra-care environment are improved the earlier this is done. Waiting until mobility levels are affected, can make any transition more stressful, while moving in in a timely manner, leaves residents to enjoy the benefits for longer.
Opting for a retirement property also helps to retain financial independence. With each resident owning the home they live in; their equity is protected.
Other benefits of extra-care, while perhaps less obvious, are societal.
For instance, moving into retirement properties in turn frees up homes. A report for the Local Government Association has estimated 3.3m homes are occupied by older people with more space than they need. Downsizing then, would have a big impact in reducing the current pressure on new build homes, providing greater access to the property market for younger generations.
In addition, a report for the Homes and Communities Agency estimated that, on average, a person downsizing into an extra-care property could save the public purse about £440 per year – a considerable sum when multiplied across an ageing population.
Those living in extra-care properties on average also spend less time in hospital than those of equivalent age living in standard retirement properties, helping to reduce pressure on the NHS – something doubly important in the current climate.
Should a person develop health or care needs while living in an extra-care environment, help can be delivered quickly and effectively. With a standard level of support built into the service charge, additional help, such as personal care services, can be added if a person finds themselves in need of it as their heath deteriorates.
Overall then extra-care living offers a multitude of benefits for those who choose such properties, as well as society as a whole. Helping to reduce the risks around personal, financial or health-related concerns serves to improve the quality of retirement. The families of those living in extra-care facilities also benefit from peace of mind, knowing that their parent, grandparent or other relative has the necessary support to hand, should they need it.
