Does anyone know of a care home for a very physically active 80 year old

[Tolly123]

Hello everyone, could anyone advise, perhaps having experienced the seemingly unique care needs of an elderly parent. She is very fit and able to walk 7 or 8 miles easily, but she has short term memory loss that means she can't prepare her own meals, but can shower herself and put herself to bed. She really needs prompting to take her tablets and meals preparing and she needs company. She has had a young girl as a live in carer who is leaving and Mum has said she would like the company of other elderly ladies now. But the privately funded care homes we've visited for her, cater for physically inactive old people which wouldn't suit her. Does anyone have any suggestions for homes anywhere in the UK that cater for physically active strong people.

What about sheltered accommodation (which tend to have communal areas) but still with a carer?

There is an amazing place near me but she would need a lot of money to support herself !

What area?

What about one of these retirement villages with a combination of sheltered housing and a care home on site? St Monica's Trust in Bristol has several in that model - Westbury Fields, for instance.

She'd probably need to go straight into the care home bit, but at least the grounds are big, and there's older people with a variety of physical and mental needs (and so, I presume, a variety of activities to meet their needs?)

There are 'retirement villages' starting to pop up the UK. They are popular in the states and Australia. Generally people have their own mini flat or at least a bedroom, but the support of a communal kitchen and activities.

You'd need to read the T&C's very closely. Some have clauses about selling back the flat and you not getting the money until the room is sold/rented out again. Some are also more geared to someone without memory problems, but may have step down care available on site also.

What about sharing her home with a student nurse or medical student of young or mature age ?

Or have someone come in at mealtimes & other times, rather than full time

Whereabouts in the country are you looking for. Could she manage in her own sheltered flat where there are communal areas that offer meals. She could have a carer in for meds and personal care. The alternative could be a residential home that has an attached nursing home if she ever needed more care.

Op. Much depends on your budget, and location. Have a look at audley villages, they would fit the need, but they are expensive.

Thank you so much to you all for your detailed and kind replies that are so helpful. Mumsnet is amazing! Xx