Last week Adlington Retirement Living hosted a VIP visit to its retirement community on Factory Street in Ramsbottom.

James Frith, Member of Parliament for Bury North, met with homeowners at The Cottons to discuss local topics, and was joined by Sarina Kiayani, Policy and External Affairs Manager at ARCO (Associated Retirement Community Operators), the main body representing the Integrated Retirement Community sector in the UK.

The group received a tour of the community and discussed the difference that integrated retirement communities make in the UK.

Sarina Kiayani said:

“Key features of an Integrated Retirement Community, such as The Cottons, include homeowners having their own front door, but with 24/7 on-site support and extensive shared facilities like lounges, restaurants, hair salons and activity studios.

“They can provide a perfect balance between meeting the needs of an ageing population whilst ensuring that its independence is retained providing more options for housing and care in older age and alleviating the pressures on other care settings.

“ARCO’s vision for the future is for 250,000 people to live in IRCs by 2030, which would result in far more people living happier and more fulfilling lives in their retirement, and we estimate would also result in £5.6bn in savings for the NHS and social care.”

The Cottons offers homeowners the best of both worlds. They can enjoy the privacy of their own peaceful and spacious apartment, spend time in the leafy gardens (maintained by an expert team of gardeners), relax in the hair salon, therapy suite or homeowners’ lounge and enjoy the on-site restaurant.

The 24-hour on-site support team provide peace of mind and, if needed, optional personal care packages are available. In addition to this, there is a sophisticated emergency call system and a security video entry system to manage access.

James Frith MP said:

“The community is such an asset to the area, offering older adults the opportunity to maintain their independence while benefiting from the support of a caring and thoughtful environment. The importance of the services offered cannot be overstated, particularly as they contribute to homeowners’ overall mental health and wellbeing through the various activities and leisure opportunities available.

“It was a pleasure to meet some of the homeowners and hear their thoughts on the community. They clearly feel well-settled, and it was amazing to see how they are thriving in an environment that prioritises both their independence and social connections.”

Simon Crewe, Director at Adlington Retirement Living, said:

“It was a pleasure to welcome our VIP visitors to meet some of our homeowners and to find out more about The Cottons. Adlington’s vision is to empower our older generation to live a long, happy and healthy life. We do that by creating safe and secure environments with active communities, extensive facilities, and spacious, quality homes.

“Moving to a retirement living community offers an opportunity for our homeowners to remain independent with the reassurance of support, right on their doorstep. They don’t have to worry about the maintenance and upkeep of a house, so they can spend more time socialising and doing the things they love.”

If you would like to find out more about Adlington Retirement Living visit Adlington.co.uk.