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Our tips on moving to a retirement community

Almost ten million people in the UK are over the age of 65. This number is forecast to rise by over 20% by 2030. More than this, the number of people aged 90 and over will almost double in the next ten years.

This shift in demographics will have a dramatic impact on the influence of the older generation. The impact of the elderly is set to shape our built environment as much as the younger generation does. This impact can also be seen in the growing demand for retirement communities.

Retirement communities are a fantastic housing alternative. They offer the chance to live life on your own terms and to your own standards. If you are planning to move into a retirement community, unanimous advice is to do it early on.

Moving at any time in your life can be a stressful process. From packing away boxes of belongings to picking the best-suited retirement community for you, it may feel like a daunting experience. Our tips on moving to a retirement community will support you in readiness for the big day and put you at ease.

1. Research the local area


Retirement communities have a lot to offer. If you wish to keep active, we encourage you to find out more about the local area. This is an ideal way to prepare for your new life.

Taking advantage of the new location and exploring the area will offer you a great headstart to your move into a retirement community. You may discover fantastic dining experiences across the street or charming book shops you can get lost in. Getting to know more about the local area will help you to prepare for moving into your new home.

2. Talk to your future neighbours


A great tip on moving to a retirement community is finding out who the people in your new community are. When moving to a retirement community you will want to get acquainted with other like-minded individuals. They will be able to offer you a real feel for the retirement community and also answer any questions you may have.

It is a great idea to visit the retirement community before your move and get to know your neighbours. You may even choose to bring along a friend or a family member. What you will find in the retirement community is generally a tight-knit community, open to offering guidance. Many people, who have moved into retirement communities, have developed closer connections than in their old hometowns.

3. Take the chance to rightsize


Moving into a retirement community is a great chance to clear your space, your mind and declutter your life. Some people may feel daunted by the prospect of sorting and putting their lives into boxes, but this is a real chance to declutter and consider what is realistic to you. Many people refer to this as ‘rightsizing’.

Most residents in retirement communities see this as a fresh start to a new life. While it may seem daunting at first, it will enable you to move into your new home with a clear mind, free of unnecessary possessions.

4. Make the most of your exclusive facilities and services


Your time to relax and enjoy your life is now. Taking advantage of the exclusive facilities and services available at the retirement community should be among the first on your list. When you move into your new home why not make the most of what retirement community living has to offer?

The extensive facilities and amenities available in the retirement community encourage social interaction, mental stimulation and physical activity. There are plenty of activities and services for you to choose from on any given day.

You may choose to pamper yourself with a beauty treatment or take a dive in the private pool. If you like exercising, the gym is at your disposal every day. The cinema can offer you some downtime and relaxation too.

5. Be as sociable as you want to be


A retirement community offers many opportunities for socialisation with fellow residents. But it is important to remember that you still have the same level of freedom and independence, which means that you decide just how sociable you want to be.

You may want to take advantage of the outdoors and fresh air by going on walks with your next-door neighbour. At the same time, you may cosy up in the library with a good book by yourself. Whatever you decide to do with your time is your choice. Your independence is key in retirement community living.

6. Integrate your family and friends into your new life


After you move into the retirement community you may wish to invite your friends and family to visit. They will get the chance to see what your new life in the retirement community is like. Having your dear friends and loved ones visit you after you move into the retirement community will instantly make your new property feel like home.

A retirement community offers you the same freedom that you had before, so your cherished friends and family can come to visit you in your new home any time they like. Some communities even benefit from guest apartments, enabling your visitors to stay over and enjoy all that is on offer.

7. Do not stress about the move to the retirement community


Having to move at any given time in your life may be stressful. But when you are moving to a retirement community you could not be in better hands!

Moving into an exclusive retirement community will offer you all the support you need. The staff will make sure your transition is made as smoothly as possible. Any worries you may have about moving into the retirement community will be put at bay, as the staff will accommodate your needs and answer any questions in advance of the big day.

These are just some of our tips on moving to a retirement community. We understand that the prospect of moving to a new home can feel daunting but when you are in the hands of professionals, such as the team at LifeCare Residences, moving takes on a more seamless transition.

Our main tip is to not leave it too late. Many residents agree that making the move to a retirement community should be done sooner rather than later. This opinion is further justified by the benefits of being able to maximise all the fantastic opportunities that retirement community living has to offer.

Moving into a retirement community does not mean that you have to give up your current lifestyle. You are simply enhancing your life and benefiting from the premium services and amenities. Retirement communities combine the best of both worlds. Making this move as early as possible will allow you to enjoy all that is on offer.

Moving to a retirement community is a lifestyle choice for the over 65s and, as stated above, it is becoming increasingly popular. Among its many benefits, it helps to combat loneliness, offers a safer environment and may have benefits such as reduced visits to the hospital.

Well-designed properties may reduce the risk of trips or falls, enhanced by the offer of onsite care facilities. Living in a retirement community also enables much faster reaction times in case of emergencies.

LifeCare Residences is leading the way in retirement living, bridging the gap between independent and assisted living. It embodies a new proposition which sensitively integrates a high-end residence with a discreet, state-of-the-art care capability.

Living in a retirement community such as those offered by LifeCare Residences offers you the chance to enjoy and maintain your independence. You can rest easy knowing that there is professional support on hand whenever you need it.

LifeCare Residences has a number of excellent luxury, retirement communities to choose from. Whether it’s high-end London living or idyllic retirement villages in Hampshire, the choice is yours.

But no matter what retirement community you choose from, at LifeCare Residences you will benefit from the same high standard of living. Our retirement communities are designed to support your privacy and independence and are tailored to your own individual requirements.

With LifeCare Residences, you may choose from a wide range of living styles to suit your needs and preferences. You will have the opportunity to be involved in community life, socialise with other like-minded individuals and discover new interests. All in all, moving to a retirement community is an experience not to be missed.

LifeCare Residences is a renowned retirement community operator with over 30 years of experience in enriching lives. Our commitment is to deliver outstanding care, authentic choice and unrivalled hospitality with facilities of a five-star hotel quality.

To find out more about all that LifeCare Residences has to offer, please call free phone number 0800 009 6950 or E. [email protected] or visit www.lifecareresidences.co.uk