Care guides
Retirement living
Guides to retirement villages, sheltered housing, independent living and later-life housing options in the UK.
- All guides
- Cost & Funding · 146
- Regulation & Quality · 62
- Retirement living · 22
- Live-in Care · 15
- Respite for Carers · 16
- Alzheimer's & Dementia · 50
- Care homes · 124
- Reablement · 16
- Personal Care · 15
- London · 99
- End-of-Life & Palliative · 28
- Carer Support · 48
- Elderly Care · 99
- Overnight Care · 11
Elderly Care
Unretirement: Older Workers Returning to Work in the UKUnretirement means going back to work, or staying in work, after retirement or pension age. ONS data show 13.2% of people aged 65 and…
Retirement living
Social housing for older adults: how to apply and what to expectIn England, older adults apply through their council's housing register, which places them in a band or gives points. Councils must give reasonable preference…
Choosing Care
Assisted living in the UK: extra care housing explainedAssisted living is not a regulated term in England and usually means extra care housing: your own flat with on-site support. The CQC regulates…
Retirement living
ARCO and integrated retirement communities: what they areIntegrated retirement communities combine self-contained homes, 24-hour staff and flexible care. ARCO is the trade body, and its Consumer Code, approved by CTSI in…
Retirement living
Are retirement homes a good investment? Risks and returnsRetirement homes are usually a lifestyle purchase rather than a reliable investment. Leasehold terms, service charges and event fees can reduce returns, and rules…
Retirement living
The best places to retire in Scotland: what to considerNo official source ranks the best places to retire in Scotland, but public data shows large differences in health, house prices and remoteness. Judge…
Retirement living
Where is the best place to retire in the UK? What to weigh upThere is no single best place to retire in the UK. Official data shows large gaps in healthy life expectancy, house prices, council tax…
Cost & Funding
How much does a retirement home cost in the UK? (2026)There is no single price. Age UK gives typical retirement flat service charges of £1,500 to £3,000 a year, up to £10,000 in newer…
Cost & Funding
Deferred management fees in retirement properties explainedA deferred management fee, also called an event, exit or transfer fee, is charged under some retirement leases on sale or change of occupancy,…
Retirement living
Retirement flats for sale: what to check before you buyBefore buying a retirement flat, check the lease and the ongoing charges: lease length, ground rent, service charge, any fee on sale, age and…
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