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Fifth of adults ‘stressed’ about later life housing options

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Around 65% of adults admit to pushing the question of their care in old age “to the back of their minds”, while 21% of those who think about the issue say the lack of available housing options causes them “immense stress”, according to the Audley Group.

On top of this, half of all Britons “have no idea” what care options are available in later life, while 38% say the thought of moving into a care home would be “detrimental” to their mental health, adds the study from the retirement housing firm.

Audley Group chief executive Nick Sanderson says: “Care can seem like a scary prospect, but it really doesn’t need to be. Understanding and planning for your options in later life will help curb any anxieties.

“Consider early on what you are looking for as you get older, and you will find it is not the binary, terrifying option of your own home or a care home, but it could be an integrated retirement community, with care and wellbeing facilities on-site.”

The study says that 75% of adults hope they will be able to stay in their own homes and have professional carers come to them.

But the report adds when made aware of other options, such as a retirement village with access to specialist care, 39% of adults agreed they would choose to move into housing with care, should they need it.

Sanderson adds: “Most people don’t want to go into a care home. And it’s that fear that leads to burying their head in the sand. We know that people would prefer to live in their own homes, with care brought in as and when needed.

“Taking a holistic view of what you want as you get older means looking at lifestyle, health, and wellbeing, and taking steps to control where and how you live.

“Living in properties that adapt with you, and can give you both a sense of community, and the facilities and support at your fingertips to keep anyone living healthier lives for a longer period of time should be taken into account.”

The Audley Group’s survey was conducted by data firm Opinium between 11 and 17 March among 2,005 UK adults, 972 of them were aged 18 and 54, while 1,033 were over 55.

Finopulse

Disclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by Finopulse.
Publisher: Roger Baird

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