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.