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Retirement terms explained
Understanding all the different retirement living options can be overwhelming. Our terminology-busting guides are here to help you to choose.
Understanding your living options in retirement
When you start to look at the differing types of accommodation available for later life living you might find the terminology quite confusing. There’s often a lot of overlap in the retirement terms, making options sound similar when actually there are distinct and important differences – particularly when it comes to care and independent support services.
Read our retirement living terminology guides below to discover the wide variety of living options for older people.
We’re here to help. If you can’t find the answers you’re looking for, give our friendly team a call on 0800 2014811.
What is a care home?
A care home is a residential centre where residents – who usually rent a room – receive daily personal care. McCarthy & Stone does not offer care homes.
What is senior housing?
‘Senior housing’ refers to accommodation for people aged 55 and over. McCarthy & Stone offers senior housing in the form of retirement bungalows and apartments.
What is assisted living?
‘Assisted living’ refers to private housing with a range of personal and lifestyle support services to make life easier. Our Retirement Living PLUS communities offer assisted living.
What is independent living?
‘Independent living’ gives you the privacy and the autonomy to live as you wish, with the peace of mind of support on hand. McCarthy & Stone offers independent living.
What is a retirement community?
‘Retirement communities’ are purpose-built for older people who want privacy combined with sociable neighbours. McCarthy & Stone developments are retirement communities.
What is a retirement village
‘Retirement villages’ are larger developments and often have more amenities. At McCarthy & Stone, villages offer a mix of property types.
What is sheltered housing?
‘Sheltered housing’ refers to private properties with on-site support if you need it. McCarthy & Stone developments could be considered a type of sheltered accommodation.
What is warden-controlled housing?
‘Warden-controlled housing’ is when a warden lives on-site or close by. Not warden controlled, McCarthy & Stone developments do have a friendly manager on-site.
What is supported living?
‘Supported living’ refers to homes for older people that prioritise independence but have support available. McCarthy & Stone developments offer supported living.
What do McCarthy & Stone retirement developments offer?
For almost 50 years, McCarthy & Stone has been the UK’s leading developer and manager of award-winning apartments and bungalows for the over 55s. Our approach is simple. Life doesn’t need to change as you get older – it should just become easier, so you can concentrate on doing the things you love.
Available for sale, rent, or Shared Ownership, our thoughtfully-designed retirement properties can be found in desirable locations across the UK.
How can I find out more?
The best way to understand retirement living is to experience it for yourself. Visiting a development offers a real sense of the lifestyle, the community and the feeling of being at home.
Browse our retirement communities near you, contact us or call our lovely team on 0800 201 4811.
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