What is Supported Living in Retirement?

What does supported living mean?

Supported living is a solution for retired people who want to live an independent and fulfilling life, but would like the reassurance of support services if they need them. It’s an ideal solution for older people who want or need more convenience and support to enjoy retirement to its fullest.

Despite a strong desire to remain independent, some seniors may find some things become more challenging with time. Whether it’s difficulty maintaining a home that’s too large for them, increased physical ailments, or loneliness and isolation, we could all benefit from peace of mind knowing help is on hand.

Supported independent living could be an ideal solution. It allows older people to live in their own retirement apartment, bungalow or house with full control over their bills, décor, guests, pets, and more - all set within a supportive community with various services available on-site. These services include personal emergency alarms, on-site restaurants, and help with chores, personal care, and even day-to-day tasks.

McCarthy & Stone offers two types of supported living: independent living at our Retirement Living communities for the over 60s and Retirement Living Plus for the over 70s which provides extra assisted living services.

Supported living during retirement can allow you to:

Maintain your independence so you live the life you choose.
Enjoy a sense of community with optional events, clubs and activities.
Live in a safe and secure home with monitored fire, intruder, and personal emergency alarms.
Peace of mind of helpful managers, personal and domestic care services, and restaurants on-site (Retirement Living Plus only).
Downsize to a more manageable, energy-efficient home that could also reduce your household costs.
Relax knowing that maintenance tasks like gardening and cleaning the gutters are taken care of.

The differences between independent living and supported or assisted living can be quite subtle depending on the context and who is using them. In the retirement housing market, independent living usually means you need to be able to manage all daily tasks on your own, but you will have the benefit of an on-site manager, a friendly community, safety and security features and beautifully maintained shared facilities like gardens for recreation and socialising.

Assisted and supported living can be considered variations of independent living, with differing levels of assistance available for each. Supported living still offers support but prioritises independence as much as possible, while assisted living still offers independence but with greater support. With assisted living, you still have the independence of your own home but there’s more support on offer for your peace of mind. For example, staff on-site 24 hours every day of the year, and additional services such as laundry, cleaning, and personal care are available if needed.

How can I buy or rent supported housing near me?

The process of buying or renting a supported living home is pretty much the same as any other property, although you'll need to meet the criteria for the development to make sure it’s the right fit for your needs and lifestyle. It’s also a good idea to visit the development to get a feel for the community and make sure you can imagine yourself living there.

McCarthy & Stone has supported living properties available in desirable locations all over the UK, including Hampshire, Hertfordshire, and Derbyshire. Discover your new retirement home offering independence with support when you need it.

Find supported living near me

Criteria for McCarthy & Stone retirement homes

To be eligible to live in a McCarthy & Stone supported living property, you’ll need to meet at least two of the following criteria:

Aged over 60 to live in a Retirement Living community, which supports independent living.
Aged over 70 to live in a Retirement Living Plus community, which offers assisted living services.
You should be able to live independently, though supported living is designed for people who may have some common health concerns such as arthritis or reduced mobility.

Homes designed for older people

McCarthy & Stone retirement properties are specially designed with ‘hidden adaptations’ to support people as they age, while maintaining a stylish, modern design. For example, the contemporary chrome taps are easy-turn to help people with arthritis, doorways are wide enough for walkers and wheelchairs, and ovens are positioned at an ideal height so you can use them without unnecessary bending.

Service charges

As with all retirement housing developments, you’ll pay a service charge for the upkeep of shared spaces. McCarthy & Stone service charges also cover specialist support services available on-site. This includes paying wages, servicing the lifts, keeping the communal areas warm, and maintaining the gorgeous gardens.

Frequently asked questions about supported living

The cost of supported living varies significantly based on several factors. The main contributing factor is the property cost which will depend on its size, amenities, location, and market factors.

At McCarthy & Stone, we offer options for all budgets, including rental retirement properties or affordable Older Persons Shared Ownership. Our free entitlements advice may be able to help you to claim money to put towards your living costs too.

Discover supported living with McCarthy & Stone

McCarthy & Stone has a wide range of retirement property types to suit a variety of needs and preferences. Whether you’re interested in Retirement Living or Retirement Living Plus, choose from buying, renting or Older Persons Shared Ownership to suit your lifestyle or budget.

Learn more about life at McCarthy & Stone from the experts—our homeowners. Get in touch with us by contacting us online, calling 0800 201 4811, or browse our properties near you.

Discover our retirement living communities

Retirement Living

Easy independent living for people aged 60 and over. You’ll be looked after by a House Manager and enjoy shared amenities and a friendly community on the doorstep.

Retirement Living Plus

Independence combined with flexible assisted living for people aged 70 and over. Benefits include a chef-run bistro and optional Lifestyle Services from laundry to pet-sitting.

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