Any advice on retirement home selection?

[SpringCalling]

My mum and dad (89 and 93) have just said they’d like to move down south to be nearer my brother and I. They will sell their house and want to rent. We are thinking a retirement village / home rather than their own place or a care home. Currently the only help they have is a cleaner and gardener. But mum’s eyesight is going and dad’s mobility is lessening. And overall they just find things too much nowadays. So we’re thinking somewhere with someone often on site, company from others. The Birchgrove properties looks ok, i have a visit set up. What sort of things should we ask / be aware of? Thanks!

I would check the financials, how easy it will be to sell (if buying rather than renting), fees, there are horror stories.

also check what happens if/when they need more care. I have worked with retirement villages where they want people to move as soon as their care needs get significant.

id also choose one that is well located for amenities, so many are built on the outskirts of towns/villages not in walking distance of anything.

Nice to read about sensible parents!! Im glad they're happy to rent, I love the look of these retirement type places but the stories about buying- and then selling - are pretty dire.
Like PP said I would ask about what happens if or when your parents need more care, if its a home carers, can you arrange that or are these things the warden can help with?.

Check the warden's working hours. They may be surprisingly few.

It might be better to buy a ground floor flat in a small block, close to you, but big enough for a live in carer in the future.

You can adapt it to make it perfect for poor mobility before they move in.

thanks all!

Having had a look at the website Birchgrove are offering far more than a warden assisted flat.

I looked at an Abbeyfield for my parents which seemed similar to this. It had a bistro/cafe which was the heart of the place. What I liked was they would deliver meals to the flat if they were unwell or less mobile. They also had a lot of activities.

I would certainly visit and check out all the costs and as pp says what happens if they need care etc. You may find they have an associated care home should that become necessary.

I work in the sector and would highly rate Birchgrove (I don't work for them!).
More sensible than buying a place and paying all the associated fees. Staff are great from what I've seen.

St Monica's Trust is worth a look as they offer a range of care at their sites along with restaurants, activities etc