Anyone on here in over 55s sheltered housing ?

My mum was in a sheltered flat for twenty years from 74 to 94. Very much depended. On the live in Manager. Some were really good, others quite useless. For a long time all went well but the huge age gap between residents showed up towards the end of mum’s life.
Do check out all the costs.
It may not matter to you but the resale cost of sheltered flats is very low

@Smurf52
I’m sorry about your diagnosis. I suffer with pretty serious mental health issues and I been on the waiting list for something like this for a long time . My partner died suddenly in January 2023 leaving me so unable to cope I can’t function. I certainly would love to be around other people as being in a single flat is so lonely and is making me a lot worse . I can’t get higher priority than I’ve already got so I’m struggling immensely. I don’t see somewhere like this as an old people’s home . I see support , company if you want it and security. I hope you settle and begin to enjoy this place - it sounds great xxx

The development you investigated sounds very much like the one where I now live. I'm 83 and ages vary from 60s to 90s. I can be as private or as sociable as I want to be. There are similar, newer developments which also have caring facilities. I don't think you will regret taking on the apartment.

I think my mother's experience was pretty similar to how Glorianny has described her mothers. After my father died, I think my mum felt insecure, sometimes in her road there would be people knocking on doors offering to redo resident's driveways,she really didn't like answering the door if she wasn't expecting anyone. She told me that she wanted to sell the house and move into sheltered accommodation, In fact I think she already had a couple of friends, widows I suspect, who had done that very thing. She asked me to go looking with her and we found a great block right opposite the sea.

The charges were quite steep but I could see where the money went, a resident warden who was very nice and helpful, the common parts were beautifully maintained, lifts of course, resident's lounge, laundry etc. There were quite a few social events organised, outings to NT gardens, afternoon teas out, occasional theatre trips that sort of thing, she also had social events through her church, I was quite pleased she kept herself busy with coffee mornings etc. It was what she wanted at that time in her life, aged between 80 and 87. She was happy there and also importantly to me she felt safe and secure.

My mother lived in sheltered housing for almost 14 years and was very happy there.
I'd check a few things. There will be a service charge. I would ask to see past years and how much the charge has increased each year. There were substantial increases in my mum's place and some of the residents struggled to pay them.
As part of that what happens about replacement equipment and furniture in communal areas. Is there a fund to cover this?

What support is there and who organises things?
Mum had a resident warden when she moved in. This was changed and there was a non-resident manager. Some of them were great. One in particular organised all sorts of things. I'm told he has now retired and the activities have stopped.

I don't want to discourage you. I'm absolutely certain that living in her flat ensured my mum a long life. But I think you need to plan your financial circumstances carefully.
Good luck!

Thanks everyone. I have reported that I want this discussion moved. I’ve not checked if I get the sun, but to be honest every property I’ve ever rented or owned was always north facing so I’m kinda used to it! If I get the sun it’ll be a bonus ☺️

Thanks for good wishes. I agree, check the sun. I am lucky I am on the corner of the building so have sun all morning into early afternoon. In fact today the patio door to balcony open until about 2pm when I had to go out and I sat out there with my morning coffee. 🌞🌞😊

Smurf, just click on report in your OP, and ask GN to move it for you.
when searching for it, did you look under,
'i'm on' ?
that should have shown it.
the flat sounds good.

Smurf52 I think you have to report your post and ask for it to be moved. Hopefully someone will correct me if I’m wrong.

Thanks for coming back to us. I think it sounds like a good idea, Smurf52

travelsafar, , so glad you are happy in your new home.

It sounds lovely because of the community aspect..I would just check the aspect of the patio area.. make sure it is south or west facing because it will also affect the interior ofthe studio. I always take a compass with me when I look at properties...

Thankyou for this subject. I am currently considering this.I am 79, and live alone in a three bedroomed house.I also have COPD but manage independently
I have family living locally who help when they can.I know this house is now getting too much or me, expensive to heat and decorate with steep stairs and high ceilinged rooms.The area has gone downhill vastly since I moved into here with my husband 55 years ago.It is too full of memories though but I feel for my own sake I should let go of it very soon.

welbeck

sounds good, OP.
what concerns, if any, do you have ?

Only concern is the complex is in a high crime area. The manager has assured me they have not been affected by this (but then, would she tell me this?) she says once inside it’s an oasis of calm and I tend to agree with her.

To those that have asked it is a rental property. Any hidden costs have been factored in.

I’ve inadvertently put this under Bereavement not Ask a Gran, so when I went to look for my post I couldn’t find it! Anyone know how I can put this post over into Ask a Gran and delete one?

Oops I seem to have put this thread on bereavement instead of ask a gran. Sausage fingers!

Very sad to hear of your diagnosis Smurf52. In the circumstances, this new home sounds ideal, as long as there are no hidden costs. 💐
Travelsofar, so pleased to hear that you have settled in and are happy in your new home. 💐

Having outside space would be really important for me. Wouldn't consider otherwise. I would check the space gets the sun. Good luck 😉

The people I know who live in similar all feel safe and 'dip in and out' of the facilities as they fancy. I would say they all seem very content and are keen to tell you so! Seems very much worth looking into, I think I would.

I am sorry about your diagnosis; but pleased you have found suitable accommodation.

I keep thinking about similar and selling my house(modern build but always seems cold) but then I would have to pay rent. So would eat into my equity. But always food for thought.

Travelsafar I remember your thread before Christmas. I am so pleased to hear your move has been successful.

It sounds like it might be beneficial for you, given your diagnosis. Please look into it carefully. I've heard of families having to pay because they can't sell the property. Is it a rental or are you buying because that could make a difference. Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best

Ah travelsafar I’ve been wondering how you’re getting on in your new abode so it’s good to hear that the move has turned out to be perfect.

I lived in an over-50's almshouse for two years. There was a community lounge but no-one used it, and people very much kept themselves to themselves. There was a laundry room for general use and we paid a basic rent plus an amount to cover all bills, which was good. I moved on because I had no private outside space and may have stayed there if I'd had my own patio area, although as I like a bit of adventure I did feel too 'looked after'! But then I had no medical diagnosis to take into consideration. The studio flat you've seen sounds lovely.

sounds good, OP.
what concerns, if any, do you have ?

I've just moved into a scheme like this....the week before Xmas. I love it. I feel warm, safe and cosy. I have a one bed flat with wet room and balcony. There are events held in communal lounge....coffee mornings, exercise classes, bingo, social groups, that do arts and crafts, scrabble nights and once a week they have lunch followed by entertainment.
You can join in or not it's up to you. I just go to exercise class and scrabble as I'm still involved with outside groups. But if I couldn't drive I would welcome the activities. I came from a large cold 3bed house with a big garden. It was a weight off my shoulders leaving it all behind, never felt happier since my DH died in 2021. Plus my family don't have tocworry bout me as help available if I need it.