Here is our definition of the term we use for our Abundant Life! Project.

Retirement Village, Retirement Community, Retirement Home, Retirement Apartment – even Retirement Living – all terms used with increasing frequency in the papers, on the radio, the web and television. And not one of them with a standard meaning – leading to lots of confusion just when what we all need is greater clarity!

So – here is our definition of the term we use for our Abundant Life! Project. We use the term Retirement Community. By that we mean a set of homes (apartments most likely) that are designed to meet the needs of older people as they continue their lives with as much activity and independence as they can manage. These will be homes that enable older people to stay in their home and receive the care (including health care) they need, as their needs develop, so avoiding having to move to a nursing home or similar. And with some specialist provision for those living in this community who develop severe dementia. And to live in this supported way whilst having easy and welcoming access to a whole range of activities – on the estate, within Dartington village and the surrounding towns and villages, and within the community itself – that will allow for and encourage people to continue to enjoy their interests, and even develop new ones and new friends.

Everyone and every development aspires to much of this – the key difference here is that, for those who want it, we plan to provide quality assured care within the community and within people’s own homes – we will provide, not just signpost to what might (or might not) be available elsewhere.

This is not what everyone wants – that is what personal choice and control are all about. There is nothing that everyone wants. Our retirement community will, we believe, be the answer for some – and other kinds of provision will be the right choice for others. Therefore, we plan to work closely with the local community, with individuals who like the idea of what we will offer, and with others offering something different. What is always important is that we are each as clear as we can be about the particular choice we are offering.

Keep in touch, best wishes, Celia