New Lifestyles in Old Age : Health, Identity and Well-being in Berryhill Retirement Village

This report explores what it is like to live and work in the new Berryhill Retirement Village in Stoke-on-Trent (developed by The ExtraCare Charitable Trust and Touchstone Housing Association), and shows that retirement housing does not have to be planned and developed solely with middle-class professionals in mind. Based on the experiences of residents, staff, families and other stakeholders, the report: identifies the factors that facilitate the development of a positive environment in which to age; asks why people moved into the Village and whether they felt that their lives had improved there; considers the full range of sources of support both inside and outside the Village; details some of the ways in which such environments can facilitate people in their efforts to overcome illness and poor health and enjoy a good quality of life; and draws out wider policy and practice lessons for those who might be considering developing similar schemes. The report is essential reading for policy makers and practitioners in housing, health and social care, as well as academics interested in these fields. (REPORT) New lifestyles in old age......Page 2 Contents......Page 4 List of tables and figures......Page 6 Acknowledgements......Page 7 A day in the life of a retirement community resident......Page 8 Background......Page 10 The study and the report......Page 12 How the study was carried out......Page 13 Berryhill Retirement Village:a profile......Page 14 Living and working in Berryhill Retirement Village......Page 15 Summary......Page 19 Introduction......Page 21 Activities and interest groups......Page 22 Getting out and about......Page 24 Volunteering......Page 25 Contact with family and friends......Page 26 Democratic decision making......Page 27 Benefits and disincentives to participation......Page 29 Encouraging and facilitating participation and involvement......Page 30 Summary......Page 32 Understanding health and well-being......Page 33 The health and well-being of residents......Page 34 Quality of life and life satisfaction......Page 36 Maintaining health and well-being......Page 37 Meeting diverse health needs......Page 40 Health, support and well-being in the future......Page 43 Conclusion......Page 44 Summary......Page 45 Understanding age and identity......Page 46 Experiences of age and identity......Page 47 Age identity, ageing bodies and peer support......Page 50 Age and generations......Page 51 Perceptions of others......Page 53 Reasons for living in Berryhill Retirement Village......Page 55 Conclusion......Page 56 Summary......Page 57 Improving the lives of older people......Page 59 Implications for future service and policy developments......Page 60 Involving older people in research......Page 64 Summary and conclusion......Page 66 References......Page 68 Appendix A: Research questions......Page 72 Timeline Year One: June 2000-May 2001......Page 73 Timeline Year Two: June 2001-May 2002......Page 74 Timeline Year Three: June 2002-May 2003......Page 75 Timeline Year Four: June 2003-October 2003......Page 76 Appendix C: Questionnaires......Page 77 Stakeholders interview schedule......Page 78 Appendix E: Participation groups and community conferencing......Page 80 This Report Explores What It Is Like To Live And Work In The New Berryhill Retirement Village In Stoke-on-trent (developed By The Extracare Charitable Trust And Touchstone Housing Association), And Shows That Retirement Housing Does Not Have To Be Planned And Developed Solely With Middle-class Professionals In Mind. -- Book Jacket. A Day In The Life Of A Retirement Community Resident -- 1. Retirement Communities : The Context -- 2. Developing A Retirement Community Lifestyle : Participation And Involvement -- 3. Health And Well-being -- 4. Growing Older : Age And Identity -- 5. Conclusions. Miriam Bernard ... [et Al.]. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 59-62).