What do we mean by housing choices for older people?
We know people will make different decisions about where and how they live as they get older. Some will want to stay living in the same home, while others will look to move to more manageable homes or will live with family, and some will feel that housing with a minimum age criteria (e.g. 55+) best suits their needs.
We understand there are lots of different terms for different types of housing options for older people, we have tried to simplify these and have added some definitions which you may want to consider.
What are the definitions of housing choices for older people?
The below table includes definitions of the different housing options.
Retirement village | Sheltered/retirement housing | Extra care housing |
- Offer self-contained apartments or houses with readily accessible communal facilities and activities for their residents.
- On-site facilities vary depending on the size of the development and provider.
- Staff on site 24 hours a day.
- Tends to be larger in scale.
- Has more of a ‘village’ feel than retirement housing.
- Can be with a private or social landlords, to buy or to rent.
| - Typically self-contained apartments.
- Usually supported by a part-time/visiting scheme manager.
- Can be with a private or social landlords, to buy or to rent.
- More recently termed ‘independent living’.
- 24 hour emergency help via an alarm.
- Often has communal areas/activities.
| - Self-contained homes, usually flats or bungalows.
- Designed with the needs of people with higher levels of care and support in mind.
- Typically has more communal facilities, for example a restaurant or activities.
- A type of ‘housing with care’.
- 24 hour on-site domestic and personal care staff.
- More likely to be with a social landlord, to buy or rent.
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General needs housing | Community-led housing |
- A term used to describe general family housing and dwellings for single people and couples.
- A self-contained bungalow, house, flat or maisonette.
- Housing that is not purpose built, adapted or managed for a particular client group.
- Can be with a private or social landlord, to buy or to rent.
| - Often small-scale with no standard approach.
- Set up and run by local people in their own communities, often with external support from housing associations, local authorities or regional/national support organisations.
- Not-for profit, involving voluntary effort.
- For people who want to buy or rent.
- For groups wanting to build new homes or refurbish existing buildings.
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