Website of The Care Home Environment Magazine

Retirement housing – what older people want

Despite significant interest in downsizing and buying a retirement property and the wealth of many older people, there is a distinct lack of innovative schemes in the UK, says David Sinclair, director, The International Longevity Centre – UK (ILC-UK)

Early last year, the American singersongwriter Jimmy Buffet announced plans to launch a themed retirement community based on his Margaritaville song and chain of US restaurants. About 100,000 Americans signed up to receive more information about the initiative and Buffet has subsequently broken ground on a second scheme

About 3.5 million older people are interested in downsizing and buying a retirement property. However, in the UK, despite the significant wealth of many older people, the supply of new and innovative schemes like those introduced by Buffet are way behind those that can be seen in the US. At the level of current market trends, it would take 20 years for supply to meet the demand of just half of the people aged 60 plus in the UK who are interested in downsizing. 

So, what do we need to do to attract older people to retirement communities in the UK? There are a number of key areas of focus. Firstly, adaptations must be mainstream. People don’t want disability equipment. They want good, attractive products and services that work. Look at the success of stores such as Lakeland, which offer easy to use, affordable and attractive products on the high street. Work on kitchens by Professor Sheila Peace shows that mainstream providers of household equipment aren’t meeting our needs as we age. I recently had a new kitchen fitted and was advised by the salesman not to buy a product that helped me reach the back of a cupboard because “that was for older people”.

Log in or register FREE to read the rest

This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text. If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
Register

Upcoming Events

Care Roadshows - Glasgow

Hampden Park Stadium, Glasgow
16th April 2024

Care Show London

ExCel, London
24 April 2024 - 25 April 2024

Future of Care Leaders Conference

The King’s Fund, London
Tuesday 30th April 2024

Care Roadshows - Liverpool

Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool
14th May 2024

Care Roadshows - Birmingham

Villa Park Stadium, Birmingham
16th May 2024

Care Home Awards

Royal Garden Hotel, London, W8 4PT
17th May 2024

Upcoming Events

Care Roadshows - Glasgow

Hampden Park Stadium, Glasgow
16th April 2024

Care Show London

ExCel, London
24 April 2024 - 25 April 2024

Future of Care Leaders Conference

The King’s Fund, London
Tuesday 30th April 2024

Care Roadshows - Liverpool

Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool
14th May 2024

Care Roadshows - Birmingham

Villa Park Stadium, Birmingham
16th May 2024

Care Home Awards

Royal Garden Hotel, London, W8 4PT
17th May 2024

Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR
Tel: 01892 779999
www.step-communications.com
© 2024 Step Communications Ltd. Registered in England. Registration Number 3893025