RIGHT AT HOME

Reconsider the size of your home to help with the rising cost of living

We all choose places to live based on where we are in life, whether it’s that first student flat or a ‘forever’ family home. But as you get older or after your children have left home, you do start to think ‘do I need all of this space?’, or more importantly ‘can I still manage in my current home – is it right for what I need now?’ Are you paying to run a house that no longer fits your requirements?

Everyday UK headlines are also highlighting the ongoing challenges around the rising cost of living. People are really feeling the impact of increasing bills, especially for heating and electricity. Many older people have expressed real concern about how they might manage the ongoing costs associated with running their own home. Planning ahead, researching your options and making the move to a new home before any moment of crisis happens is empowering – it puts you in control of the choice and decision of where to enjoy living in later life. An increasing number of older people are embracing the choice to ‘right-size’ their home for their changing life circumstances, looking to retirement villages or apartments as a positive option.

Buying a retirement home means you can:

• Free up capital - allowing you to better enjoy your post-working years;

• Stay on the property ladder by still owning your own home – one that fits your needs now;

• Benefit from ‘no-worries’ maintenance of your property or garden;

• Feel secure;

• Meet new friends and enjoy companionship from neighbours at a similar life stage to yourself;

• Stay together as a couple if that is your requirement.

Another vital benefit is the added package of care and support, which is sometimes available at these locations. Westward Care is one such local care provider. They o er a full package of care and support at both of their retirement locations in Headingley and Roundhay. You can purchase your own home and utilise the 24/7 care and support on-site if or when you need it. With fully trained and qualified sta they are there to help – but if you don’t need it you don’t pay for it. Apartment owners say the reassurance this brings is priceless.

You have your own front door, you live independently, all have kitchen facilities so you can continue to cook for yourself (or dine in the on-site restaurant if you prefer). All the apartments are fully accessible and designed to make life easier in later life – large wet rooms, lifts to all floors, and everything on one level with no stairs to climb in the apartments.

You’ll no longer have to worry about things such as the tiles falling o the roof. It is a ‘no worries’ package. They look after the heating system, the electrical system, as well as carrying out maintenance, window cleaning, and even do the gardening.

As Westward Care’s Managing Director Peter Hodkinson points out: “My view is that later life is a time to broaden your horizons, not limit them. This has very much been the case for many of our apartment owners that live in the luxury apartments at our Headingley Hall and Southlands Retirement Apartments locations. They have made an active choice to buy an apartment in order to life their lives to the full – whether that means spending some of their equity on holidays or days out, or enjoying their luxury home with the peace of mind that care and support is on hand 24/7 if, or when, they might need it.”

Margaret, an apartment owner at Southlands Retirement Apartments, o ers a first-hand view of moving to a Westward Care home. “I moved here to be nearer to my son, wife and grandson. I am thrilled with the outcome. Being at Southlands allows me to be as independent as possible with help, care and food available if I need it. The sta really do care and are excellent. The residents have welcomed me warmly, and very quickly, I felt like one of this happy family. Situated on the edge of the park, close to the big clock and just a walk or bus ride to Street Lane are such a bonus.”

Moving In Offer

No utility bills for 12 months

Interested in finding out more?

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Book your personal tour of either location – Southlands Retirement Apartments in Roundhay or Headingley Hall (Shire Oak Road) by calling Helen on 0113 331 4830

• For more details, visit westwardcare.co.uk

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Don’t forget to quote ‘ABSOLUTELY YORKSHIRE’ when you enquire to benefit from this offer if you decide to make the move.