Accommodation options in later life: retirement village or community living?

Abstract

Objectives: To assess retirement villages as an accommodation option for older people by examining the impact on quality of life of moving to a village. Method: A cross‐sectional survey of three groups: residents of independent living units of two retirement villages and a group of older people who considered moving but decided to remain living in the community. Results: The quality of life of all groups at interview was high. However, the village group's overall satisfaction with life, and satisfaction with friendships and social life, was better after moving, whereas the community group were more likely to say that their quality of life was the same or worse since looking at moving to a village. Conclusions: Retirement villages can be a viable accommodation option in later life and enhance quality of life. The results of this study have implications for government policy, public and private housing providers, and older people.