 Mike Davis and daughter, Liz |
 Mike Davis |
Date: January 2011
DID YOU HAVE A HAPPY CHRISTMAS, OR WERE YOU WORRIED ABOUT ELDERLY RELATIVES?
Christmas is traditionally a time when families come together. It’s also a good opportunity to take a closer look at how elderly relatives are coping; sadly, this might not be as well as you thought. This can lead to some uncomfortable questions, often starting with: ‘so what are we going to do about Mum, Dad, auntie?’
It’s all very awkward. Many elderly people don't like to admit they can no longer care for themselves, but they don’t want to lose their independence either. ‘Children' (albeit in their 40s and 50s) fear interfering or upsetting someone.
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It was just this kind of situation that faced retired bank manager Mike Davis (76), as his daughter Liz (50) explains.
Mike was widowed in 2002 and while he seemed to cope for a while, his children noticed that during the past two years he declined quite dramatically both physically and emotionally. Liz says: “Although Dad had a daily help, it became clear this wasn’t enough. He was really struggling without Mum, particularly on the domestic front. He had no idea how to balance his diet, his quality of life went downhill and he became socially isolated. We saw a complete character change; he went from being a very friendly happy person to a depressed and quite unwell man. We knew it was time to find somewhere with assisted living options, and we were familiar with Richmond Villages, but ultimately the decision to move had to be his.”
Liz, who lives with her husband Chris and their two boys in Henley, viewed Richmond Letcombe Regis, the latest development by Richmond Villages near Wantage in Oxfordshire, before taking Mike to see it. Liz had already seen Richmond Painswick in the Cotswolds and understood the various living options available. Liz says: “Chris and I found three apartments for my father to look at. We knew which we liked best, but again, it was incredibly important for Dad to make the choice himself; we didn’t want him to feel we were pushing him in to anything. The staff were sensitive to this, and were very supportive at what was a very difficult time for all the family.”
Mike had been living close to Newark on the Nottinghamshire/Lincolnshire border. A move to Letcombe Regis would bring him much closer to Liz, and to his son Christopher who lives in Gosport.
Mike comments: “After Molly died, our home felt like a different place and I was very lonely. When I saw Richmond Letcombe Regis I knew a move there made sense. I liked it so much I put a deposit down straight away, even before I’d sold my house.”
The option for Mike to have assisted living at the retirement village gave his whole family peace of mind. Assisted living is ideal for those who need day-to-day help but who still want their own front door and to be as independent as possible. They can purchase a spacious apartment with a living room, kitchenette, one or two bedrooms and an en suite shower-room. With the assisted living package all daily chores such as laundry are taken care of. There’s a daily maid service and utilities (heating, energy, water) are included, as are food and soft beverages. Lunch and evening meals are provided and can be served at home or in the restaurant. Any further help can be tailored as required.
Mike says: “I moved in to my one-bedroom apartment in May. The whole purchase and moving in process only took four weeks, it was very easy and everyone, both the staff and the residents, were very kind and welcoming. My quality of life improved immediately. I slept well from the very first night. Having the assisted living package means I don’t have to worry about bills, meals or laundry and my apartment is kept beautifully clean. My kitchen is stocked with essentials and I eat my meals in the restaurant where I enjoy the company of other residents. The food is really tip top and since I have diabetes the staff make sure I eat the right things; I am feeling so much better for it.”
Liz adds: “Dad used to shuffle around, but since he moved to Letcombe he has recovered his fitness through good diet and swimming every day, and is now much more mobile; quite spritely in fact. He looks ten years younger and has a better social life than me!”
Mike comments: “The setting here is beautiful. My grandchildren love to visit me as they enjoy the nature reserve and the river. I love to sit and listen to the birds and watch the ducks and muntjac deer. I know my children are happy because I’m so well settled. I’ve been given a new lease of life!”
Richmond Villages also include independent living apartments, which are ideal for those who can live independently, but like the idea of being in a safe and sociable community where care and assistance are close at hand if needed. These large apartments have a kitchen, living room and one or two bedrooms, with an en suite to the main bedroom. The company’s own on-site domiciliary care team provides as much or as little help as is needed 24 hours a day. The Care Home at the heart of each village provides 24-hour nursing and dementia care.
Retirement villages are popular in Australia, New Zealand and the States and are becoming the preferred option for many elderly people in the UK who still have a lot of living to do. Activities at a Richmond Village typically include art classes, bridge, bowls, film nights, happy hours, supper clubs, trips to interesting places and visiting speakers. Facilities vary from village to village but can include a wellness spa with a swimming pool, gym, health and beauty treatment rooms and a hair salon, a restaurant, café, shop, IT and craft rooms, a library and a bowling green.
Richmond Letcombe Regis has recently received not one but two major national awards and a commendation, both the prestigious What House? Gold award in the Best Retirement Village category, and Best Innovation in the UK Over 50s Housing Awards. It was also Highly Commended in the Best Retirement Development category of the International Property Awards.
| Village | Location | Assisted Living Apartments | Independent Living Apartments |
| Letcombe Regis | Oxfordshire | from £275,000 | from £295,000 |
| Coventry | Warwickshire | from £110,000 | from £130,000 |
| Nantwich | Cheshire | from £195,000 | from £155,000 |
| Northampton | Northamptonshire | from £145,000 | from £290,000 |
| Painswick | Gloucestershire | from £265,000 | from £499,000 |
Richmond Villages offers a good choice of retirement villages in several locations around the UK, for further information please call 0845 415842 or visit www.richmond-villages.com
There are five Richmond Villages across the UK:
| Richmond Letcombe Regis | Richmond Northampton | Richmond Painswick |
| South Street | Bridge Meadow Park | Stroud Road |
| Letcombe Regis | Grange Park | Painswick |
| Oxfordshire | Northampton | Gloucestershire |
| OX12 9JY | NN4 5EB | GL6 6UL |
| Tel: 01235 773970 | Tel: 01604 432600 | Tel: 01452 813902 |
| Richmond Nantwich | Richmond Coventry | |
| St Joseph’s Way | Hospital Lane | |
| London Road | Goodyers End | |
| Nantwich | Bedworth | |
| Cheshire | Warwickshire | |
| CW5 6LZ | CV12 0PB | |
| Tel: 01270 629080 | Tel: 02476 645544 |
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Richmond Villages, part of the Barchester Healthcare Group, is an award-winning retirement village developer. Richmond Painswick in the Cotswolds, Richmond Northampton and Richmond Letcombe Regis in Oxfordshire have been awarded ‘Best Retirement Development’ by both the ‘What House? Awards’ and the ‘Daily Mail Property Awards’. Richmond Painswick has also received a ‘Highly Commended’ award in the ‘Assisted Living’ category at the ‘Daily Telegraph Your New Home Awards’. These awards have recognised that Richmond Villages has created a stimulating and life-enhancing environment in which to enjoy retirement.
To download this release via the LawsonClarke PR on-line press office go to:
http://www.lawsonclarke.com/releases/richmond_villages/141210rich.htm
Issued by: Anne Toomey/Jeremy Clarke/Tracey Bretherton
anne.toomey@lawsonclarke.co.uk
clarke@lawsonclarke.co.uk
tracey.bretherton@lawsonclarke.co.uk
LawsonClarke PR
Tel: 01285 658844
Fax: 01285 650080
www.lawsonclarke.com
RV17/2010
