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NHBC Foundation report finds
high demand for quality retirement housing
AROUND 9 out of 10 elderly people say
they love their experience of living in retirement housing or enjoy it most of
the time, according to a new report by the NHBC Foundation. The report found
that there is high demand in the UK for more quality retirement housing with
residents citing companionship and community spirit as the biggest benefits of
living in a retirement development. With the population rapidly ageing, it is
expected that around 6.6million people living in the UK will be 75 or older by
2022. The NHBC Foundation report found that around one million elderly people
say they would consider moving into retirement housing, but only 128,000 homes
are estimated to have been built for private sale. It found that building more
retirement properties would bring significant benefits for the elderly by
allowing them to live independently for longer while freeing up homes for
younger families. The report also identified that rates of home ownership are
high for this age group and there is evidence of a willingness to pay a premium
to gain the benefits of good quality retirement living. However, residents
participating in the research commented on a lack of choice of suitable
properties which appealed to them. Downsizing and a desire to reduce home
maintenance were the key drivers for elderly people to move. Nearly ⅔ of
elderly people (63%) cited downsizing as the main reason followed by 59% who
said they wanted to be in a ‘safe and secure’ environment. Other important
factors were being close to family and having access to support services.
The report:- ‘Retirement housing;
residents’ experiences’ examines whether current retirement housing is
meeting the needs of residents and provides key recommendations for house
builders and developers for future improvements. It finds that developers need
to further enhance the enjoyment of life for residents and ensure homes are as
attractive as possible to buyers. Key recommendations are:-
► Elderly people need help with visualising the space
if buying off plan.
► Car parking availability needs to be improved, especially for visitors.
► Developers need to give more consideration to the suitability of design
and layouts; particularly kitchens and bathrooms.
► Builders need to carry out closer inspection to
ensure high levels of quality and minimal defects.
The research centred on 6 retirement developments with almost 400 homes in
total. A total of 284 residents completed questionnaires and focus groups were
carried out with a fifth of residents. Neil Smith, Group Research and
Innovation Manager at NHBC, said:- "Our research found that there is a
high demand for more retirement homes in the UK. Many people are keen to
downsize from larger homes to retirement properties, but there is a lack of
suitable options. There is no doubt that retirement houses bring huge benefits
to society by allowing elderly people to live independently for longer within a
supportive community of like minded people. Living in retirement housing frees
elderly people from the burdens of maintaining a larger home and garden. In
addition, it brings wider benefits to society such as freeing up larger homes
for younger families and releasing capital. The report finds that 9 out of 10
residents have a positive experience of living in a retirement home. It also
highlights some areas for improvement and the importance of additional support
services being made available, such as cleaning and personal care."
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