Retirement villages reduce loneliness

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Retirement villages promote quality of life and reduce feelings of loneliness

A report, funded by Audley Retirement Villages and Bupa, has found that specialist retirement communities can improve people’s quality of life and reduce loneliness and isolation.

The International Longevity Centre (ILC-UK), surveyed people living in retirement villages that offered extra care and found that they produce many social and health benefits, particularly for those who move from rural or remote areas.

For example nearly two thirds of respondents living in retirement villages said they weren’t lonely with 81 per cent reporting they hardly ever or never felt isolated, compared to those living in the wider community.

Loneliness is bad for us. As well as having an emotional impact, it can also affect our physical health; such as accelerating cognitive decline and even increasing the risk of dementia.

Most of those surveyed also said they had a strong sense of control over their daily lives, which was over 10 per cent higher than those living in the wider community. They also felt secure, with 97 per cent agreeing that they felt safe where they lived.

[pullquote1 quotes=”true” align=”left” variation=”purple”]Living in the right accommodation, with flexible care gives our owners the opportunity to live their lives as they choose, on their own terms[/pullquote1]

Nick Sanderson, CEO of Audley Retirement Villages commented: “We have long known that retirement villages offering extra care have a positive impact on those living in them.

“No one wants to be in a care home, and very few should need to go down that route. The ILC report corroborates our belief that the quality of life in extra care accommodation far exceeds what is possible in a care home.

“Extra-care housing offers people the opportunity to live in a community of like-minded individuals, whilst remaining in their own home and retaining their independence.

“We were particularly pleased to see the ILC report revealed that residents feel a greater sense of control, and importantly a sense of community. Living in the right accommodation, with flexible care gives our owners the opportunity to live their lives as they choose, on their own terms.

“We are faced with a growing older population, and this generation are more ambitious and active than ever. It’s crucial that there is a better supply of good quality housing that meets their changing needs.

[pullquote1 quotes=”true” align=”left” variation=”purple”]Good housing is good for us[/pullquote1]

Baroness Sally Greengross, Chief Executive of ILC-UK commented: “This research helps confirm that good housing is good for us. Communal living commonly found in extra care and retirement villages seems to positive impact on loneliness, with very few respondents to our research saying they felt a high degree of loneliness or isolation.”

Founded in 1991, Audley has since established itself as a pioneer in the provision of high quality retirement living.

The first Audley village was built 15 years ago in Kent and today owns a portfolio of 12 luxurious villages across the country. Audley owners buy their own homes on a 125 year lease and have access to the Audley Club facilities that include a restaurant, spa, swimming pool, library as well as landscaped gardens.

There is flexible care if needed, enabling owners to live independent and healthy lives. For more information and properties for sale visit www.audleyretirement.co.uk