Retirement villages for the silver surfers
WHAT'S the saying about old dogs and new tricks? Well silver surfers all over the country are proving it wrong.
Learning new computer skills is a walk in the well-maintained parkland of their retirement villages for many of the “third age” generation.
Computer clubs, village websites and in-house social media platforms are helping residents to stay on the crest of the new-tech wave.
They are skyping, FaceBooking and shopping online, often thanks to skills they have learned with new friends at their retirement developments.
I simply could not do without my computer
Tricia Saunders, 77, who moved to Renaissance Villages’ Bramshott Place in Midhurst, West Sussex, two and half years ago with her husband Gerry, 82, says: “I use my iPad, iPhone and Macbook Air to keep in touch with my family and friends. Our son and daughter-in-law live in the USA and we send copious emails.”
Initially they did not feel old enough for a retirement village but Tricia says: “Our qualms were dispelled as soon as we moved into our new home. The community here is just wonderful and everyone is so friendly – within two weeks in our apartment we had made more friends here than we had in seven years at our previous home.”
The 71 year old Counter Strike champion taking the internet by storm
A new phase of 40 two and three-bedroom cottages were launched at Bramshott Place this summer for completion in 2018, with prices starting from £580,000 (01483 796 800/ bramshottplace.co.uk).
And at Retirement Villages’ Elmbridge Village (01483 271477/retirementvillages.co.uk) in Cranleigh, Surrey, residents set up their own computer club.
Members include John Crossley who discovered the digital world at 82 after his son gave him an old computer to send emails, use as an encyclopaedia and for the weather.
“I am now 90 and have decided that if I am ever to be hospitalised, I simply could not do without my computer,” he says.
“I have bought myself an iPad to take with me wherever I go; this was another learning curve for me but well worth it.”
The village’s new block, Elmbridge Manor, which opens in December, has wifi in the residents’ clubhouse and new two-bedroom apartments start from £395,000.
Brian Bishop, 80, and his wife Mavis, 76, live in Anchor’s Hampshire Lakes retirement village (0800 731 2020/anchor.org.uk) in Yateley, Hampshire, and Brian says: “My wife and I are very comfortable using our iPad and Samsung tablet and we use the internet every day, whether to speak with our daughter in Australia or help us solve a crossword.”
Hampshire Lakes has wifi throughout the village and hosts Q&A sessions about computers for residents.
“The internet is actually very widely used in our age group,” says Brian. Hampshire Lakes has independent and assisted living apartments for over-65s with on-site facilities including a pool, spa, gym, bistro, café and shop. The reserve list for Phase Two of is now open.
There’s also free wifi at The Greenhouse cafe in retirement village Wadswick Green, near Corsham in Wiltshire, where 87-year-old Jean Raper goes to browse the internet: “I believe it’s important to keep up with the times and learn new things, so I was keen to get my hands on an iPad,” she says.
“My grandchildren showed me the basics but I quickly got the hang of things. FaceTime allows me to stay in touch with my family; particularly with one of my sons who lives in Switzerland. I also enjoy using Facebook and Twitter, which are great platforms to share pictures and keep connected with friends and family.”
There is still a selection of apartments available at Wadswick Green (0800 092 9030/wadswickgreen.co.uk) from £265,000 and a new phase of three more courtyards, each with 45 apartments, will be launched next spring.
At Audley retirement villages (0808 169 2479/audleyretirement.co.uk) a new in-house social media platform (My Audley) is being set up to connect owners at all the company’s properties.
“It is primarily a vehicle for the company to publicise events that are mostly, but not exclusively, just for us,” says Keith Bailey, 70, who lives at Audley’s St Elphin’s Park in Matlock, Derbyshire.
“You can interact as much or as little as you like on My Audley but it is particularly good for singleton owners or owners who have been recently bereaved.”
Ultra-luxurious St Elphin’s Park is still being developed, with the final phase of apartments to be finished next year. As well as its restaurant, pool, spa and gym it is on the edge of the Peak District’s stunning country walks.
One-bedroom flats are available from £235,000, with two-bedroom flats from £330,000 and there’s a two-bedroom cottage in the grounds at £430,000.
Keith and his wife Janice moved in 18 months ago and are looking forward to more residents arriving: “We play mahjong so it would be useful to get some other players!”