Housing options for later life

Your home may just be too large to look after, or perhaps there are too many stairs. Getting to the shops may be difficult - that hill is rather steep and the bus doesn't stop very close to your house? You may prefer to be in a community where other people of a similar age live, or somewhere where some care support is available if you need it.

One option might be to find out how to have an adaptation made to your home to help you with your impairment.

Retirement housing

Retirement housing usually consists of a group of houses or apartments which have been designed to meet the needs of older people and where the age of purchasers is restricted.

The management of the complex is normally carried out by means of an annual service charge, so that there are no maintenance issues to worry about. Sometimes there may be shared amenities such as gardens, a restaurant or fitness facilities.

Some complexes offer a range of support options so that residents can buy into increased levels of on-site care if their needs change.

independent living (sheltered housing)

Independent living accommodation provides properties specially designed for older people, with a warden service available on site.

Such housing is provided both to rent (from the council and housing associations) and to buy (usually from specialist companies). You can find more information about independent living accommodation on the following page: Independent living (sheltered housing).

Extra care housing

Sometimes known as assisted living, this is housing - normally small apartments - where care is provided on site as part of the normal living arrangement.

Extra-care housing is designed for older people who can no longer live completely on their own but do not need 24-hour complex medical supervision. Extra care housing schemes offer a high level of services and facilities, meals and personal care services.

For some people this can be a viable alternative to a residential care home.