Common misconceptions about Independent Living
If you are thinking about independent living for yourself or a loved one, it is important to separate the facts from the fiction so you can make the best decision for retirement. Despite lots of evidence on the benefits of independent living, there are many outdated myths and common misconceptions that circulate which can often cause people to be hesitant about making the move, or to dismiss retirement developments entirely.
ELM Group’s company tagline is to ‘promote independence’, and those who opt for independent retirement living get just that. They can enjoy the benefits of being part of a community of like-minded individuals, get involved in social activities and discover new hobbies, while having peace of mind that the property and grounds are well taken care of, even when they are away.
We looked at some of the common misconceptions around independent retirement living, and thought we’d dispel some of these myths!
1. “Independent living is too expensive.”
For those contemplating their retirement options, there is a constant influx of media stories bringing into question how retirees will be able to afford the lifestyle they want or expect in light of the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Downsizing – or ‘rightsizing’ as we prefer to call it - is a potential way of freeing up equity to enable a more comfortable retirement, as well as enjoying all the benefits of a home that’s more suitable for changing needs or aspirations. A larger property naturally equates to more maintenance and higher outgoings; if you are moving from a four or five-bedroom home to a one or two-bedroom, you’ll be instantly making savings on the additional rooms you were previously heating. In addition, many of our retirement properties include communal laundry rooms, lounges and kitchens which help residents save on their utility costs.
2. “There are lots of hidden costs.”
ELM Group’s unique offering includes an entirely transparent budget which includes an all-inclusive management fee, which means no extra surprises. Value for money is at the centre of what we do, and we work hard to achieve the best value for money for our customers. We use local contractors where possible, work with brokers to ensure we get the very best prices on insurance and utility contracts, and we never take commission which means savings are passed directly onto our customers. Last year, we saved our customers over £36,000! We manage any insurance claims in house at no extra cost making the process as stress-free as possible for our customers, while ensuring that matters are dealt with swiftly and damage is kept to a minimum. There are many common aspects of property management that other managing agents may charge extra for such as answering correspondence, setting up direct debit payments or attending meetings in person, most also take commissions on such as insurance and contractor approvals, but everything is included in ELM Group’s single, one-off management fee.
3. “Independent living is boring.”
Many people often find their schedules become much fuller after making the move to an independent living development as you’re able to shed the boring aspects of never-ending home maintenance, like pulling weeds and cleaning windows, freeing up your time to invest in hobbies, spend time with loved ones and do the things that you enjoy.
For some this may be a quiet evening in with a cup of tea and a good book, for others it is evenings out, joining clubs and taking part in fun group activities. Often it is the flexibility to do a bit of both, which makes independent living communities such an attractive setting for people. Most of our estates hold regular coffee mornings, dinners and outings and have a range of activities that residents have the option to take part in whether that be ‘crafternoons’, chair aerobics, bingo or group viewings of key events like the King’s Coronation.
At one of our managed estates in Hertfordshire, the Estate Manager organises regular outings for residents and most recently ran a trip to a local cinema. Some of the residents hadn’t been to the cinema in over 10 years, making it an extra-special experience.
4. “55 is far too young to move into independent living.”
The development of independent retirement living for sale to the over 55’s began in 1971 as there was a demand for housing suitable for people of retirement age which benefitted from estate management services. Our founding organisation Retirement Lease Housing Association (RLHA) pioneered this movement when it opened the UK’s very first independent living retirement development in 1973.
Since then, people are remaining active and healthy for much longer, therefore many adults approaching retirement age find that independent living offers them the unique gift of time to master hobbies, travel, spend time with family, and enjoy other ventures that they might not have time for should they be responsible for maintaining their own properties. The age range varies considerably at our estates, and we often find that our younger residents breathe life into the estates’ social calendars, which is a benefit for all to enjoy.
5. “I will lose my independence, freedom or privacy.”
The clue is in the name - independent living gives you the independence to live in your own home and the freedom to choose your own lifestyle. This misconception often stems from the belief that retirement developments are the same as care homes or are associated with hospitals. In reality, independent living communities are far more homely and comfortable, with some more in keeping with a 5-star luxury hotel, than a hospital. The grounds are beautifully maintained, the interiors stylishly decorated, with modern furnishings, and they are full of likeminded people wanting to enjoy life and their retirement.
Independent living is a community for people who want to enjoy their retirement to the fullest and those who seek a carefree lifestyle, allowing them to pack up and go on holiday with reassurance that someone is keeping a watchful eye on their home, making sure external windows are cleaned, lawns are mowed and post isn’t piling up. This is the priceless value estate management services add to our properties! There are many events and social activities available to join, but you are not obliged to do so, it is up to you how much or how little alone time you want, you are free to come and go as you wish, and your home is private to you.
6. “Independent living cuts you off from your friends and family.”
Many residents find that independent living gives them more time to spend with friends and family. All of our estates are visitor friendly, with many offering guest suites for loved ones to stay in. Some estate leases allow residents to bring a pet along, so they don’t have to make that difficult decision to leave their furry friends behind. Moving into an independent retirement living development won’t alter your access to friends and family, in the same way moving house wouldn’t change this.
7. “Independent living apartments are small.”
One misconception about ‘rightsizing’ in retirement is that people opting for this choice think that they must dramatically compromise on their living space. Many purpose-built retirement properties are designed with this market in mind so the main living spaces (and commonly hallway and storage spaces, too) are often generous in size.
Whilst the number of bedrooms in a retirement property is usually less than the property that retirees are moving away from, it’s worth bearing in mind that some retirement communities offer visitor accommodation so friends and families can stay, meaning you don’t need that spare bedroom for guests. Many of the properties that we own or manage at ELM Group have on-site guest suites which family members can stay in at a minimal cost.
In summary, independent retirement developments are an attractive option for those looking for a space to suit their size requirements when they no longer have dependents living with them. Residents moving into retirement developments are from a huge range of different ages and backgrounds, and see value in purchasing a retirement property they can make their own without having to be physically responsible for costly and time-consuming building and grounds maintenance. Many are also seeking a greater sense of community among like-minded people which provides many social opportunities if they wish to participate.
To find out more about life on one of our estates and to read some useful FAQs, visit: https://www.elmgroup.org.uk/customers.
