Retirement Villages - what do you think of them?

I have a mum and a mil, both in their nineties. Mum lives in a block of managed retirement apartments but no organised activities as such unless the residents arrange activities themselves. Although initially she was reluctant to move, she now thinks she did the right thing. There is company and support if she wants it but no pressure to join in with anything. She also feels safe knowing there is always someone around and good security. My mil is still in her own house with steep stairs which she has fallen down several times. She has dementia now and refuses to wear an alarm. She is lonely in spite of frequent family visits. Hates the carers coming round. We regret we could not convince her to move into some sort of managed accommodation a few years ago. It's too late now and the next step will be a home if she keeps on falling and is generally unsafe. In my experience retirement villages are well worth considering once you are really old.

Dogs not digs

There's a retirement village not far from us and some of the activities on offer sound interesting such as painting classes etc. There us also a care home in site so people could move into there if the need arose.
Hairdressers, swimming pool, gym etc
Existing digs and cats permitted but not to be replaced!
For over 55s

However, I don't want to move there.
Not yet, anyway.

I m another who would hate being with a lot of old people
I keep young by being part of a community not just one side of the community I wouldn’t like an all female village either or a village for blue eyed people I feed of differences

Illte

Actually, I'm inclined to think that most villages are retirement villages nowadays.

Retirees have pushed the prices up beyond young families.

Around here there are many young families in villages, but then, some village schools are still open and are very popular.

There us a mix of ages - and they mix, too.

Illte makes a good point. I live in a village and there are an awful lot of we oldies. We do have a school full of young people, though, so not all bad.

I think these retirement villages are a good idea in theory. At least you wouldn't be lonely and surely there would be plenty of able bodied residents as well as the very old/disabled (bless 'em) to socialise with. And, yes, even the very very old have their stories to tell, so don't dismiss them as irrelevant.

Apologies for using the word 'disabled'. I'm pretty sure it is not PC but I can't think of a suitable alternative. I mean no disrespect.

A friend lives in the one in my village. It is beautifully built with wonderful views. The inmates, as he calls them, are all professional people (barristers, accountants, teachers) but as someone said, they do keep dying or becoming unwell and having to move out.

not so jolly likely, they are just warehouses done up to look pretty with other old folk no-one wants either. I also don't trust the management companies who run them, One woman kept having to pay the rent and care element of her mother's fees because the organisation had designed the contract so that the family had to cover costs until a new occupant was found.

Actually, I'm inclined to think that most villages are retirement villages nowadays.

Retirees have pushed the prices up beyond young families.

Can't think of anything worse. You appear to need loads of money. Lots of complicated expensive leasehold fees involved (you would need good independent financial and legal advice before proceeding). Can you keep an animal? Do you get a garden? Too much of hells granny to fit in I'd be banned!??

Don't think we'll be singing "Well meet again".
Maybe "Meat Loaf and" Life is a lemon and I want my money back". ?

I'm with WWM2, I would absolutely hate being stuck in an enclave with no variety in outlook, and everyone talking about their health, or lack of it. I need to see younger people and children every day, and living with those going out to work, children playing outside etc keeps me sane. As for care homes, I would rather take an overdose! ?

I have never had the need to visit one but the ones advertised have been very expensive.

One needs a mix of age groups as WWM stated.

Living in a care home, playing bingo and singing "We'll Meet Again" is my worst nightmare.

I wouldn’t judge any that I hadn’t visited, but well run could be amazing conversely without good management could be dire.

I visited one near to me and was invited for lunch. Food was very good. The interior was delightful - even a walk in wardrobe which i have coveted for years! BUT the cost. In my understanding, I paid for my apartment and still had to find around £2,000 per month plus council tax.!! \i couldn't bring myself to buy a home and pay so much per month that it would be like a mortgage on top. Anyway, the money would run out!

I think that I would be utterly miserable. Living with other ancient relics who keep popping off and with no other age group that brings character and life to the community is my idea of hell!

But that’s why I also can’t bear the thought of a care home. It would honestly destroy me.