ADVERT I SEMENT F EATURE
RETIREMENT LIVING For those considering the transition to retirement living, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to deciding what’s right for you. We spoke to Helen Etherington, retirement living manager at bpha, about the options available
irst and foremost, it’s important to consider your own personal needs. “It all depends on the level of care and support needs you may
have,” says Helen. With bpha, potential residents have two options to choose from: retirement living without care or retirement living extra care. Warburton House – bpha’s retirement living without care scheme – offers independent living apartments for sale, and has a communal lounge on-site, laundry facilities, a cinema room, communal gardens and a whole host of activities running for residents. It even has its own retirement living house coordinator, who is available five days a week to provide housing management support for residents, as well as a system for coordinating activities, reporting repairs and dealing with any issues with tenancies or leases. “Retirement living without care means that residents live within a community,” adds Helen. “Warburton House would really appeal to people over the age of 55 who maybe work at Addenbrooke’s or work in the local area, or to those who are receiving long-term treatment at the hospital.” Alternatively, if you have specific care needs, bpha’s extra care option might be the one for you. “Extra care is independent living, but it means that there’s care available on-site,” explains Helen. The independent living apartments, located at bpha’s Mill View scheme in Hauxton, are available for sale and rent. The properties are fitted with pull cords and pendants, with a care team on hand to man the emergency response service 24 hours a day, as well as an extra care scheme manager five days a week to support with any tenancy issues, ensuring your peace of mind. There is also a night concierge on-site to ensure
ABOVE A Mill View apartment, boasting a modern finish and plenty of natural light
your finances more effectively. “Often we have people who are in receipt of housing benefit and are entitled to a care package through the local authority, and we support those residents to make their housing benefit applications and get their care package assessed,” adds Helen. “We work with social services to ensure they’ve got all of the support in place that they need, and we continue that throughout their tenancy.” Bpha is always on hand to provide information and advice whenever you need it. “Even if somebody’s not quite ready to move yet, but they just want to find out a bit more information, we’re very happy to talk to them,” says Helen. “We can do socially distanced viewings, or even a video tour with somebody on the phone.” If you, or somebody you know, may be interested in either of the available schemes, you can contact bpha on 0330 100 0272 and arrange a socially distanced viewing or a video tour. There is also a viewing weekend on 5 and 6 December, so you can find out more about the luxury independent living apartments. Viewings are limited and strictly by appointment only, so make sure to contact Janet Bennett from the bpha team if you’re interested in viewing either Mill View or Warburton House. Call 01223 606 646 or email sales@domovohomes.co.uk to get in touch.
the security of the building, and a caretaker who deals with maintenance, cleaning and health and safety, as well as providing minor repairs so you don’t have to wait for contractors to come out. The apartments at both locations have been designed to have a luxury feel, comprising contemporary and stylish high- specification features especially created for modern living, with many of the apartments even boasting their own private balcony or terrace. So for those of you imagining 1970s-style buildings with beige lounges and bingo, think again. “The buildings we offer in Cambridge are modern and have been designed by a forward-thinking designer, so they almost look like hotels,” enthuses Helen. “They’re beautiful inside, especially Mill View. It’s got a lovely glass communal area at the front, and it makes the whole building feel light and airy.” In terms of price, bpha is one of the most competitive retirement living providers in Cambridge, and it also has a money advice team to help out if you’re suffering financial hardship. “We have very experienced benefit advisers who know the benefit system inside and out,” says Helen. Able to provide information, support and guidance on benefits and what people may be entitled to, the team can also liaise with creditors on your behalf to help you manage
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