Is this the way to Amarillo..?

A recent US report on housing development for the elderly was illustrated by this picture of a resident room in a facility for the elderly in Amarillo Texas.  The 60-unit facility combines a high-quality resident experience with a supportive environment for families. Each 350-sq ft private room features wireless networking to connect to the outside world; window seats provide sleeping spaces for overnight visits. Resident beds can be wheeled outdoors onto terraces.

What is most noticeable is the amount of daylight, the wonderful view and sunlight. Whilst we can’t do a great deal about the latter in the UK this nevertheless looks like a superb template for sheltered accommodation. Particularly (hallelujah!) wireless networking. How about putting some of our currently under-utilised architects into coming up with similarly exciting projects here?

Retirement planning in uncertain times

By all accounts retirement planning confidence is at an all-time low with about half (49%) of 30-50 year old “pre-retireds” feeling that they will not be able to enjoy a comfortable retirement. Unsurprisingly women are particularly concerned with almost half of them (49%) fearing they won’t be able to make sufficient provision for retirement compared to just over a third (36%) of  men (Source: Annual Retirement Confidence Index, Alliance Trust Savings).  A further report from GE Money maintains that only one in four adults are confident that their pension will see them through retirement, while analysis carried out by mortgage website, www.impartial.co.uk reveals that more than a million 65 year olds will still be paying mortgages when they retire.

If some or all of the above applies to you then the biggest comfort you might take is that however precarious your financial situation, you’re not alone. And with the scale of the problem so large, something, somehow will have to change. But of course, we don’t know what that might be or when it might happen, so the best strategy is to do what you can on an individual basis. Reading our new primer Retirement planning in uncertain times is a good place to start in terms of understanding the issues – particularly the fact that it’s never too late to do something to improve your future situation. And even if you’re one of the lucky ones with a great financial future – don’t ignore the issues and be too complacent. As they say, and as recent developments have graphically shown, the value of your investments can also go down.

Independent over 60s keep a foot on the ladder with sheltered shared ownership scheme

Over 60s now have the opportunity to own a home they can call their own for as little as £50,000 through housing association Notting Hill Housing’s, Home Ownership for Older People (HOOP) scheme.
The scheme, which runs on a shared ownership basis, offers one and two bedroom flats and bungalows at three locations in the London borough of Ealing.  It is ideal for over 60s that need to downsize but would still like to own their own home.  Individuals and couples can pay as little as 25% of the property value, but relax in the knowledge that they still own a place to call their own.  Minimal rent payments are then paid on the remaining share of the property.  Each development benefits from a 24-hour emergency call system, providing further comfort for those who currently require or may require assistance in the future.

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(Source: Octopus)