What is the right type of retirement home for me?

What are the main differences between retirement housing, IRCs and care homes?  

1. Cost

Retirement Housing/ Independent Living

• All retirement housing developments charge service charges, but residents only pay for the services or facilities on offer.  
• Service charges may typically include the costs associated with the estate manager or house manager, the upkeep of the communal gardens, the maintenance and cleaning of communal areas, lighting of communal areas including parking, buildings insurance and external window cleaning.  
• Often located in and around towns and cities, residents of retirement housing developments are likely to be able to make use of the facilities nearby. Because of this, they only pay for the limited facilities on-site.
• Likely to be the cheapest option in terms of service charges (we recommend checking the service charges at your chosen retirement housing development for more details). 

Integrated Retirement Communities

• The more facilities, services and care provided, the higher the service charge costs are likely to be.  
• Health and fitness facilities, particularly pools, are expensive to maintain and the more care or support residents require, the higher the charges.
• In the case of retirement villages, these are often larger and further away from towns and cities, meaning there are more facilities on-site. This is likely to be reflected in higher service charge costs. 

Care Homes

• The fees charged by care homes depend on the location and on care needs.
• A person with dementia is likely to need more care and support than one who does not have dementia.
• Nursing home fees are usually higher than standard residential care home fees to reflect the level of care.  
• For an idea of care home fees see the ‘Which?’ guide on which.co.uk

2. Independent living 

Those who buy retirement housing are generally independent and active, keen on maintaining their privacy, but who want to live in a peaceful community of like-minded people. 

IRCs provide the option of healthcare and domestic support, with residents possibly needing more support as they age.

Care Homes cater for those who need all types of support and are unable to live alone safely.

3. Size of development

If you’ve lived for years in a family home on a small development or in a quiet residential area, you may not want to buy or rent at an IRC with up to 250 homes. 

4. Location of development

When you're considering your options, you may find that the location of each type of retirement development differs, depending on the size and services on offer.

Retirement housing developments tend to be located within villages, towns or cities, with close access to local amenities and transport routes. Integrated Retirement Communities, especially when of a larger size, are more likely to be located away from towns and cities, with some, as the name suggests, functioning as a 'village' in its own right. IRCs of a smaller size can also be found within towns, so ensure you research locations before visiting. Care Homes are found within most towns, cities and also many villages, for a more rural option. 

Questions to ask about retirement living...

• Does the IRC or the retirement housing development charge exit fees, also called deferred management charges, event fees or transfer fees?   This is a charge that becomes payable when the property is resold – either by the homeowner or the homeowner’s family.  The fees may also be available if the property is sub-let or if a new partner, relative or carer moves in.  Exit fees vary from 1-2% of the selling price, even reaching figures as high as 35%. Beechcroft do not charge any exit fees. 
• If the retirement property is to be resold, can it be advertised on the open market?   Or does it have to be sold through the developer or a designated agent?  At Beechcroft, your home can be resold on the open market, as you would sell any other property. 
• What facilities and services does the retirement housing development or IRC offer?   Try not to be tempted by facilities that you won’t need or use, or are happy to use off-site alternatives for.  Visiting grandchildren may be delighted by the idea of a swimming pool, but such facilities come with much higher service charges.
• What is on offer in the local area?   If you don’t want to pay high service charges for on-site facilities, you will want to be near local facilities including cafés, bars, restaurants and pubs, golf courses and local leisure centres, private gyms or community exercise classes.  If you enjoy travel and don’t want to drive, you’ll need good transport links on hand. 
• What is included in the price of the home, and are the fixtures and fittings of a high quality?   Whilst some retirement properties, like Beechcroft’s, come complete with a full range of integrated kitchen appliances from top brand names, vanity units and fitted mirrors in the bathrooms, fitted wardrobes and flooring throughout, some retirement developers provide more basic fittings and charge for ‘extras.’ 
• Are pets allowed?   And if so, do you have the option for private outside space for them to make use of? 
• Is care available?   If you are likely to require care in the near future, you may wish to ensure that this is catered for, be it as a part of the services on offer at an Integrated Retirement Community.  It is also noteworthy that some Retirement Housing Developments offer an adjacent care home, as is the case at several Beechcroft developments.  This can be particularly useful for couples in which one partner requires full-time care, but the other is capable of living independently.  If you require full-time care, you will want to ensure that you are researching specifically care homes in your preferred area. 
• What is the community like?   After all, when you move home, you want to ensure that your neighbours are like-minded and wish to live a similar lifestyle to you.  When visiting, we recommend asking about the events that take place on-site, and if the development is already occupied, the ages and types of people who live there.  At Beechcroft, many of our developments swiftly build a community atmosphere, with coffee mornings, dog walking clubs, and key occasions celebrated throughout the year, such as at Christmastime.

Looking for Retirement Living? 

Discover the Beechcroft difference 

Here at Beechcroft, our homes fall under the 'Retirement Housing' category, which is best suited to those who wish to retain their independence, however, whilst you’ll be able to maintain your privacy, you won’t be alone if you need help. 

You will soon get to know the Estate Manager at your development, who will be there to help you settle in, arrange for your windows to be cleaned and also for your private garden to be maintained for you.  This support will give you the opportunity to integrate yourself in your new community without the hassle of arranging this maintenance yourself. 

You can expect a modern house or apartment with generously proportioned rooms and plenty of entertaining space, and most homes have access to their own private space in the form of a terrace, garden or balcony, in addition to beautifully landscaped communal grounds. 

And if you choose a new home on a development with a neighbouring care home, you will be able to enjoy additional services without giving up your independence – hot daily meals, hairdressing, laundry services and social events are just a few of the benefits on offer, without being obliged to pay for these services, as may be the case at an IRC.

Find out some of the key benefits of living in a Beechcroft home below... 

• Beechcroft does not charge exit fees and all homes may be sold on the open market, as with any property, as long as the buyers comply with the age criteria. 
• Beechcroft developments are managed by ELM Group, a not-for-profit organisation.  On each development, the Estate Manager handles the maintenance, cleaning and gardening but also checks on properties whilst owners are away and offers help and advice when needed.
• Beechcroft has a close working relationship with care providers on some developments with a new care home on site, so that Beechcroft owners are able to benefit from a menu of additional services from cleaning and laundry to hot daily meals – paying only for what is provided.  If respite care is needed, following an operation or illness, it may be possible to arrange short term care at the neighbouring care home.
• Many Beechcroft developments provide a luxurious guest suite that may be booked for visiting family and friends.
• Many Beechcroft developments have an elegant communal lounge or residents’ pavilion that swiftly becomes a hub for social activities.
• The Estate Manager is responsible for the upkeep of private as well as communal gardens although owners are able to assist if they wish as long as the original planting scheme is not compromised
• Well-behaved pets are welcome at all Beechcroft developments.
• Beechcroft selects outstanding locations in some of the most attractive villages and towns across the southern counties, close to local shops, services, facilities and transport links.
• Unlike many homes on retirement developments or within retirement villages, Beechcroft creates spacious homes, working on the principle that people over the age of 55 require fewer bedrooms rather than less living space.
• Beechcroft’s portfolio includes both elegant houses and luxurious apartments, some newly built and others converted from period properties – and the company is known for creating beautifully landscaped settings.
• Beechcroft homes include fixtures and fittings of the highest quality, which will last the test of time and with a full range of integrated kitchen appliances, including a washing machine/dryer, vanity units and fitted mirrors in the bathrooms and en-suites, fitted wardrobes and flooring throughout, there is no need for ‘extras.’ 
• At Beechcroft, you won’t pay for facilities that you won’t use – you’ll find local gyms, sports clubs and hair salons in the local area – and you’ll become part of the wider local community as well as the community on the development.