Moving parent to live near me

[Hairyfairy01]

my elderly parent has asked to live in an assisted living scheme near me (from England to wales). I’m happy with this but would ideally like them to rent so we don’t have the hassle of selling and paying service charges whilst awaiting a sale. However options seem very limited and linked to the local housing association. They would be self funding, money isn’t the issue thankfully. Does anyone have any experience of the best way to do this? They could potentially buy somewhere small outright if easier but conscious they can take a while to sell and service charges are around 4k a year which I presume need to be paid even in event of a death? Or can they be paid once the property has sold?

My DPs did very similar but without the change of areas. We talked to the people who run the Careplus village and sorted it out with them.

Beware, service charge at family members assisted living... Just a warden nothing else... Started off in 2019 at £4000 per annum. It's now in 2026 £1050 a month, over triple. Predicted 1250 a month next year. Makes the place impossible to sell. None on the complex of 25 have sold in 3yrs despite sellers knocking 30% to 50% off original buy price.

It's a financial noose

If money isn’t an issue, rent or buy an appropriate flat/bungalow (not in a ALP) and buy in carers/cleaner/gardener etc. Just as affordable, much more flexible, and can then access additional support from councils as someone who is already resident if necessary as your relative gets older.

What care/assistance would a person get for that level of service charge in AL development? Washing, cleaning, personal care, emergency medic on call etc.?

I agree with pp that buying or renting a ground floor flat with future proofed facilities like walk/wheel in bathroom etc., in a secure building and buying in all the care needed + input from you when needed is probably a good option.

My aunt just sold her amazing riverside flat and will be renting an apartment in an assisted living facility. She took independent financial advice and it was better for her and for her DC eventually if she rented rather than bought or did shared ownership.

It has made the process easy for her too as she can sell her flat after moving, which is a blessing for someone in their mid eighties.

Sorry I should have said, my DPs rent instead of buying so no service charge and it’s HA owned.

I slightly disagree with the posters saying to just privately rent a bungalow or flat and buy in care and support - of course it's an option and supported/sheltered housing isn't for everyone, but for me there's an awful lot of benefits - in a good sheltered housing set-up everything is set up so straightforwardly for the elderly, the flats usually have appropriate adaptations ready in place including secure building, alarm buttons etc, yes service charges are relatively high but usually absolutely everything is included including utilities, building maintenance, gardening, upkeep, management fees etc. that's a really big bonus if someone is starting to feel anxious and overwhelmed by paying bills etc and reduces the burden on family and carers to manage. She may have to pay separately for personal care and cleaning/housekeeping but the scheme usually has preferred/vetted providers and sometimes even on-site carers which is often easier than recruiting and sourcing your own private carers or going via an agency. Plus there are usually social events and useful things on site like a cafe, sometimes hairdresser etc. which she may not need or use much now but could be a lifeline if ends up less mobile/independent. And if renting, the tenancy is secure and no risk of the landlord deciding to sell up and boot you out on a whim which would be just awful for an elderly person.

It's all just so much more convenient and easy at a time of life when moving is a big enough stress and hassle as it is, of course with effort all this can be replicated in a private rental (except the secure tenancy part) but for me it's not usually worth the hassle. Of course you need to be savvy and avoid the very expensive private retirement village schemes where your service charge is sky high and goes on swimming pools or other luxuries - but any scheme run by a housing trust is likely to be reputable and legit.

OP, I'd contact the housing trusts near you and see, as she is self-funding I don't think the change in local authority will prevent her from applying, the popular ones may have waiting lists and perhaps give priority to local people but in my experience there's sufficient availability you don't usually have to wait long, may just be my area but it's certainly worth an enquiry...

i moved elderly parent from England to Wales. It’s been great.
Just be aware the NHS system
in England and Wales are different as in the records don’t automatically move across. We had an A&E hospital visit where non of DPs previous records conditions or medications were visible to the medical staff there.
I suggest you print off all their previous records from their GP/NHS app so you have paper copies. When the transfer to wales starts you can no longer access via the NHS England app.
Good luck. Hope it all works out for you.

You could contact social services to see if they know of suitable organisations. In mum's area there was a development that was only accessible with a social services recommendation even though it didn't require LA funding. It's run by a not for profit organisation and most flats are rented at a reasonable rate. My parents had friends there who encouraged them to move there when dad's mobility declined but they choose not to. By the time dad had died and mum decided she did want to her Alzheimer's was too advanced. It would have been ideal if they'd moved earlier for the social life.