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Cheryl Bissett from McCarthy and Stone has answered your questions about retirement living and planning

(206 Posts)
JustineBGransnet (GNHQ) Mon 09-Nov-20 10:09:13

Retirement communities provide support, safety and most importantly, friendship to those who live there. Cheryl Bissett is divisional Sales Director at McCarthy & Stone and also helped her 84 year-old mother Isobel move into a McCarthy & Stone development in 2017. After settling into Cranberry Court, Isobel’s social life has blossomed; spending time with her neighbours at coffee mornings, book clubs and film nights.

The community wasn’t halted by the pandemic and Cheryl gained peace of mind knowing that her mother had people around her for company and to reach out a helping hand if needed. With this in mind, Cheryl would like to use her experience to help answer your questions around retirement living and planning.

Here’s what McCarthy & Stone have to say: “With more than 40 years of experience in designing, creating and managing thriving communities, a McCarthy & Stone apartment gives you much more than a lovely home. It gives you access to a vibrant, caring and supportive community of friends and neighbours.

Here’s more about Cheryl Bissett: “Cheryl is Senior Divisional Sales & Marketing Director and has worked for McCarthy & Stone for over 5 years.
Cheryl is extremely passionate about what McCarthy & Stone offer to our retirement community, so much so Cheryl’s mother downsized into a McCarthy & Stone apartment at Cranberry Court.
McCarthy & Stone have made a huge difference to Cheryl and her family as her mum was once isolated and lonely and now has a whole host of new friends and a fabulous social life.”

Perhaps you’ve considered buying or renting a property in a retirement living community and want to find out more about it? Or have a family member that wants to find out more about retirement living in general and how best to plan for it? Post your question on this thread and you’ll be entered into a prize draw where one lucky GNer will win a £100 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

We’ll be selecting questions for Cheryl to answer during a one-hour session that’s taking place on 30/11

Thanks and good luck!

GNHQ

Terms and conditions apply

Dearknees1 Sat 14-Nov-20 10:17:18

What's the maximum number of bedrooms in your properties? We often have people to stay.

sheilads105 Sat 14-Nov-20 10:56:23

Do I own the retirement property and can I include it in my will?

volcanopete Sat 14-Nov-20 11:53:06

Do you recommend Premium Bonds?

6paces Sat 14-Nov-20 13:58:20

How many years NI contributions to qualify for a full old age state pension?

Dexterbaby123 Sat 14-Nov-20 14:26:24

It seems unfair that on the sale of your flat McCarthy and Stone take a percentage of the sale. That put me off

yoeydavis Sat 14-Nov-20 15:57:50

My Nan is 86, Grandad died 3 years ago and now she's struggling to live alone. Her memory is terrible, not eating, she's seeing dead people, and we're getting very worried. Would somewhere like this be suitable and if so, how is it paid for?

pennwood Sat 14-Nov-20 17:01:53

If you purchased as a couple & then one passed away would the service charges remain the same even though only one person would be using them?

Ikea1234 Sat 14-Nov-20 17:59:58

I'd like to know more about buying and any maintenance / service fees....can you enlighten me as to the structure?

Humph Sat 14-Nov-20 22:01:13

Is the annual maintenence and other costs linked to the RPI or capped in any other way ?

RachDayxx Sat 14-Nov-20 22:19:46

I’d like to be able to finance living abroad for a few years to enjoy my retirement while I still have my health but without impacting my UK home and security. What’s the most economical way to achieve this

MrRichTea Sun 15-Nov-20 01:51:42

How often can family visit?

owl5454 Sun 15-Nov-20 09:30:24

What the rules would be around having family stay, is it completely easy for them to come and go?

hwg3141 Sun 15-Nov-20 11:48:40

What accommodation would you recommend?

ScodieHo Sun 15-Nov-20 12:01:31

Too many service charges and ongoing costs in these places. What happens when you run out of money/savings? Do they boot you out or does the council take over?

hannahbjm Sun 15-Nov-20 16:59:41

Can you have grandchildren to stay over or visit?

Dannydog1 Sun 15-Nov-20 18:21:55

Can I have people come and stay,for example a son or daughter, for a few nights

elizab Sun 15-Nov-20 18:27:30

how are the service charges? is there an on site nurse or a panic button for resident if something were to happen?

trisher Sun 15-Nov-20 18:52:45

I've heard that in some of these communities the standard of. cleanliness, the service and support that residents receive is less than ideal. What do McCarthy and Stone do to ensure residents are happy and standards remain high, is there a complaints process?

moggie57 Sun 15-Nov-20 19:13:06

i rent from local council .i think retirement homes are for people who own their propertyand have plenty of money...

s861421 Sun 15-Nov-20 19:46:01

I am 53, and had several different jobs over the years with several veyr small pensions in several complanies, at what pont do I combine them

Kweenxo Sun 15-Nov-20 22:01:41

Isn't it a shock to go from living in a mixed environment to then being in a retirement living community where by the sounds of it you'll be surrounded by people of around your own age?

PP1234 Sun 15-Nov-20 22:52:10

Is a lifetime ISA worth it?

sweir1 Mon 16-Nov-20 11:11:47

What rules do you have in place for stayovers for other family members?

GeminiJen Mon 16-Nov-20 14:03:03

a McCarthy & Stone apartment gives you much more than a lovely home. It gives you access to a vibrant, caring and supportive community of friends and neighbours
I'd be interested to hear what McCarthy and Stone do to bring this about?

jhocknull Mon 16-Nov-20 15:10:10

Do you allow owners to have dogs?