RETIREMENT LIVING
two-bedroom apartments give residents access to a host of support services if required. If you purchase an apartment at Mill View, says Janet Bennett, retirement living sales advisor, ‘you are also buying a lifestyle, a community and a wonderful place to relax in your retirement’. “What we are all about is offering your own home, but with care on hand,” she explains. “So rather than going into a retirement home, you have your own facilities if you want them. But if you don’t, you have the support of the restaurant and care staff. There is a general feeling of community, where you can meet up with other people and be involved with everything we have here, including a vibrant resident-led activities programme – from games evenings to trips out.” Another benefit to this set-up is that it removes stress over the unforeseen costs often associated with home ownership. “Although you pay for energy used inside your apartment and an annual service charge, you can make use of the communal lounges and gardens without worrying about additional costs,” explains one team member. “Apartment living also means no need for ongoing maintenance – such as to the roof or exterior walls – and if you need help with smaller jobs inside your home, there’s a handyman on-site.” For those who need additional day-to- day support and are struggling to live alone, a care home is often the best solution. Broadly, these are split into nursing and residential homes, with the latter providing accommodation plus assistance with personal care such as washing and taking medication, and the former providing this as well as qualified nurses on hand at all times – able to care for those with severe disabilities or complex needs.
“When a family is finding care for a loved one, they want the best – to know that the care home they choose will put their loved one’s safety, happiness and wellbeing first. Finding the right care can be a stressful experience,” counsels Caprice Geisha from Care UK. “It’s important to match care homes to care needs.” Care UK’s Heathlands House care home in Cambridge provides residential, dementia and nursing care, giving families peace of mind that their loved ones can stay living at the home should their needs change. “Living at Heathlands House is all about quality of life,” says Caprice. “Every colleague in the home is passionate about enabling residents to enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle, tailored around their unique needs and preferences. The team organises a huge variety of group and one-to-one activities, with plenty going on each day.” Once you’ve got a few options shortlisted, the next stage is gathering all the info you can to make sure it’s a good fit for yourself or your loved one. A good first port of call is the home’s latest inspection report, which you can request from the
SPOILT FOR CHOICE (Above left) Cherry Hinton Care Home. (This image and below left) Snapshots of life at Mill View. (Below right) Heathlands House
78 FEBRUARY 2023 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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