When he lost his wife, Ron moved from the family home in Abingdon to be closer to one of his daughters and chose to live nearby in a flat in Portisham. But following a headlong tumble down a flight of stairs, which left Ron shaken, but none the worse for wear, his daughter wasted no time in searching for a safer haven for her independent-minded father.

This is how she discovered Somerleigh Court, the charming retirement village located right in the centre of the historic town of Dorchester.

Set within secluded landscaped grounds, Somerleigh Court appeals to people who wish to continue an independent lifestyle in the spacious surroundings of their own apartment, aware there is an on-site care team on call 24 hours if required.    

Ron, who moved in four years ago, has taken to his new surroundings with his typical enthusiasm.

“I have a 2 bedroom apartment here and have made new friends both in the village and outside, at the local lunch club. There is always something going on at Somerleigh Court, like a concert, or just recently, we had a Burns Night party. Although I still fix my own breakfast, I usually have lunch with other residents in the dining room.

I always seem to be busy and having my daughter close by means I get plenty of visits from the family, including my lovely grandchildren.”

As well as the excellent in-house care and support enjoyed by residents like Ron, there is also the highly acclaimed nursing home, which is part of Somerleigh Court retirement village. It has recently received one of the most prestigious gongs for palliative care, the Gold Standards Framework’s Quality Hallmark Award at the highest level. This impressive accolade acknowledges the consistently high standards maintained by the professional care team in looking at each resident as an individual and planning with them and their families what is important to them in their care

There are some apartments for sale ranging in price from £155,000 for a 1 bedroom and from £225,000 for a 2 bedroom. All come with generously-sized reception rooms, fully fitted kitchens and well designed bathrooms. The grounds, external and communal parts are impeccably maintained under the monthly service charge, along with a daily visit from the village team to check all is well, and the 24 hour emergency response system. This leaves residents like Ron time to enjoy their daily lives without all the usual worries they encumbered in their former homes.

Other optional services include domiciliary and personal care, medication supervision, cleaning and laundry, all handled in-house by the village team.

Call Somerleigh Court on 01305 211836 for more details and to arrange to meet the staff and have a tour of the village.  For more information, visit the Somerleigh Court page.

When retirement is on the cards, chances are the biggest and most difficult consideration is … where to?

Most people agree they would love somewhere safe, low-maintenance and above all, comfortable, but without being cut off from the bustle of everyday life and friendly company.

Many wish to stay in the area they have lived for most of their lives, while others want to up-sticks and move to somewhere more rural, especially a location close to family and friends.

LifeCare Residences, an experienced retirement specialist, has the answer to both demands, having launched London’s first luxury retirement village, Battersea Place, to complement it’s idyllic retreat in the country: Grove Place, in Romsey, Hampshire.

Battersea Place is just minutes from Albert Bridge and the delights of Chelsea, and will be perfect for ‘townies’ who want to stay in the capital, while Grove Place, a multi-award-winning village, sits in 27 acres of private grounds close to Romsey. The village is now three-quarters sold and is already a vibrant and welcoming community.  The locations could not be more different; but many of the facilities and benefits are identical.

Battersea Place in London, has sleek, architecturally-designed apartments, many overlooking Battersea Park, and  a first-class range of amenities, which are perfect for the 60-plus generation who fully intend to continue enjoying the delights of inner-city living. Since the advance launch in Autumn 2011, 35 of the 112 contemporary apartments have been snapped up, at prices ranging from £400,000 - £2.4m. Added benefits will include a concierge service, chef-led restaurant, café/bar, swimming pool, spa, library and cinema suite.

The apartments, which include a few large penthouses, will be comparable to other luxury developments with lifestyle benefits, already in place along the river banks of London; the only difference being that Battersea Place will have 24-hour support from a professional in-house care team. In addition there will be a nursing home where the bedrooms are actually studio apartments, allowing an element of independent living.

For those who prefer a country pace, Grove Place is the answer. The heart of the village is a 16th-century, Grade I listed Elizabethan manor house, where many residents meet daily to take coffee in one of the elegant reception rooms, browse in the library, play snooker or cards in the panelled billiard room, and, if the mood takes them, take lunch or dinner in the chef-led restaurant. Residents live in purpose-built, contemporary bungalows or apartments in the private grounds around the manor house. Other attractions are the hair salon and treatment suite, and health and wellbeing centre, which boasts a heated pool, Jacuzzi and well-equipped gym.

There is a limited selection of one, two and three bedroom properties still available, with prices from £175,000 to £499,999. All the properties are linked to a 24-hour care team, who will provide emergency assistance at the push of a button and will attend to any care needs as and when required.

For those who wish to be in town, but London is not for them, LifeCare Residences also offers Somerleigh Court, a charming retirement village in the centre of Dorchester in Dorset.

The village offers a delightful community of one- and two-bedroom apartments, a dedicated nursing home and landscaped grounds for those who want to live a full, independent life with excellent care available when it is needed.

To find out more, visit the Battersea Place marketing suite, open daily by appointment, 020 7228 6939 or visit www.batterseaplace.co.uk 

For Grove Place, telephone 023 8074 3595 to arrange a tour, or visit www.groveplace.co.uk 

For Somerleigh Court, telephone 01305 211 836 or visit www.somerleighcourt.co.uk

Watch out Kate Moss, there was some strong competition in Dorchester this week!

The dedicated team of carers at Somerleigh Court Nursing Home took a step back in time to model Forties-style fashions for a fun packed catwalk show, to entertain residents, in honour of Dignity Action Day, a national event which honours people in care.

Prior to the fashion show care staff and residents released40 helium balloons, equalling the number of nursing home residents, all with Dignity Day tags, inviting finders to post back to Somerleigh Court, so the carers can see how far the word has spread.  

This highly acclaimed nursing home, part of the Somerleigh Court Retirement Village, has just received the Gold Standards Framework’s Quality Hallmark Award at Beacon status, which is the highest level. This impressive accolade lasts for 3 years, and is largely due to the consistently high standards set and overseen by Village Manager Karen Pearson and Sharon Hill, Head of Care in the Nursing Home, supported by their professional team of staff. 

Karen Pearson comments, “This event will give us the chance to celebrate both winning the ‘Beacon’ and honouring our own residents, who particularly liked the idea of a Forties theme.”

Dignity Day, which is backed by Sir Michael Parkinson, encourages members of the public to get involved with care teams throughout the country to make a difference and to honour those in care. 

LifeCare Residences are creating London’s first luxury retirement village, Battersea Place, for people seeking an independent lifestyle, but with the added option of care available onsite. 

Just minutes from the iconic Albert Bridge spanning the Thames, and adjoining Battersea Park, the new village will come with a first-class range of amenities; perfect for the 60plus generation who fully intend to continue enjoying the delights of inner city living. 

Comprising 112 contemporary apartments with a price guide of £400,000 - £2.25m , and a boutique 30 studio/bedroom nursing home, Battersea Place will be offering superior amenities including a chef-run restaurant, café/bar, swimming pool and spa, library and cinema room.

Richard Davis, LifeCare’s CEO comments,

“In the UK we have a rapidly increasing ageing population, and in 20 years time one third of all households will be 65 years and over. Currently this mature market own £1 trillion of the UK’s housing assets. As they get older, they will require extensive ongoing care and support, so there is a genuine need for them to downsize, and realise their capital assets. This in turn will free up their sought after old family accommodation for younger generations to utilise.

Our first London retirement village is addressing the situation, particularly acute in the capital, where the number of 80 year olds will have increased by approximately 40% within the next 30 years. We will be offering new high quality  homes specifically designed to accommodate individuals who wish to continue living in the city, surrounded by like-minded people, in a caring and vibrant community.”  

LifeCare Residences, the internationally experienced retirement village specialists, are expert at creating lifestyles and environments to enrich the lives of their residents. They expect Battersea Place to appeal to sophisticated Londoners who wish to remain close to their favourite haunts, as well as their families and friends. 

The apartments, which include several large penthouses, will be comparable to other luxury developments with lifestyle benefits, already in place along the banks of the Thames; the only difference being, LifeCare’s will have 24 hour support from a professional in-house care team. In addition there will be a nursing home where the rooms are actually studio apartments, so still encouraging an element of independent living. 

LifeCare Residences will also instigate, encourage and support a thriving community amongst Battersea Place residents. Events, clubs and social gatherings will take place internally, along with options for residents to take shopping, theatre, gallery and concert excursions in small groups, using the Battersea Place mini-bus or pool cars. 

LifeCare Residences are a founding member of the Association of Retirement Village Operators UK (ARVOUK), which has established a Code of Practice to ensure the highest standards of services for all retirement village residents.  

Battersea Place Marketing Suite open daily 10.00-17.00 telephone 020 8939 9600 www.batterseaplace.co.uk

Somerleigh Court, a charming retirement village located in the centre of the historic town of Dorchester, is opening its doors for a special Open Day on 12 November. This will give individuals considering a move to a safe and caring community, a chance to view the small number of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments available. They can also find out about all the benefits of living out their retirement supported by a highly professional village management team.

Set within secluded landscaped grounds, Somerleigh Court appeals to people who wish to continue an independent lifestyle in the spacious surroundings of their own apartment, aware there is an on-site care team on call 24 hours if required.     

Somerleigh Court residents enjoy having the option of being in the hub of the town, with its excellent High Street, cafes, restaurants and pubs, or stretching their legs at nearby tree lined West Walks and Borough Gardens. But most of all they appreciate village life, with its supportive setting, surrounded by like-minded neighbours. 

Residents can choose to socialise in the resident’s hall and lounge, meet for lunch in the dining room, or browse and read in the well-stocked library. Then there are the many Somerleigh Court activities which range from weekly exercise class, cards and Scrabble sessions, excursions to nearby historic homes and gardens, or simply joining in the Village Manager’s regular coffee morning.

Geoffrey Howlett, Somerleigh Court resident comments,

“I have been here for over four years now, and am extraordinarily happy. I lead a full life, have a good circle of friends and family who live close by, and find my fellow residents companionable and supportive.”

Geoffrey, a married man with three children, was a member of the armed forces until he retired aged 59, During his military career Geoffrey, a paratrooper, rose to become a NATO Commander in Chief. Once retired he focused his energies on working as a volunteer for the Leonard Cheshire Homes, during which time he sadly lost his wife, and then suffered a small stroke. This accelerated Geoffrey’s plans to downsize from the former family home in near-by Shipton Gorge and move to Somerleigh Court. 

Although now fully recovered, Geoffrey has been left with restricted sight, preventing him for driving. However this has not deterred the ex ‘Para’ from plunging into new challenges and adventures, one of which is becoming the Chairman of the Somerleigh Court Residents Association. 

Geoffrey continues,

“My apartment, like most here, is light-filled and spacious, and I have help from the original family cleaner, who has loyally followed me here to look after me.  If she hadn’t moved across, it was good to know Somerleigh Court has a dedicated housekeeping team who provide a cleaning service.  

People who move here tend to be outward going and informal. We all call each other and the Village Managers by their Christian names, which immediately break down barriers.  If one of us feel in need of a little company, we know we can slip into the dining room for lunch and meet up with other residents there, or join one of the weekly Whist or Scrabble sessions, both of which are tremendous ice breakers. 

Equally important, if people prefer to spend more time in the sanctuary of their own apartment, that’s fine too; everyone here understands that at this stage in life, we all savour a little ‘me’ time.  

I love the fact I am so close to the town amenities. We are near to GP surgeries and the county hospital, and I can walk everywhere, barely noticing the loss of my car. If I need to get further afield there are excellent bus services running past our door, two train stations within walking distance, and three reliable taxi companies in the town.”

The apartments for sale range in price starting from £165,000 for a 1 bedroom to £215,000 for a 2 bedroom, all with generously-sized reception rooms, fully fitted kitchens and well designed bathrooms. The grounds, external and communal parts are impeccably maintained under the monthly service charge, along with a daily visit from the village team to check all’s well, and the 24 hour emergency response system. This leaves residents to enjoy their daily lives without all the usual worries they encumbered in their former homes. 

Other optional services include domiciliary and personal care, medication supervision, cleaning and laundry, all handled in-house by the village team. 

The Open Day on Saturday 12 November runs from 10.00am to 1.00pm, and all visitors are welcome. Call Somerleigh Court on 01305 211836 for more details and directions.