Rangeford Villages offers residents access to a wide range of health and fitness and wellness facilities, coaching and interventions
Through our wellbeing programme, we aim to gently encourage residents to get active by offering them all the activities and support they need, right from their doorstep. We’ll be monitoring their progress along the way, so they can choose to see how beneficial it is to them.
Is there evidence that living in these types of communities improves quality of life? The Associated Retirement Community Operators (ARCO) surveyed 799 current residents from 81 different retirement communities in the UK and found that the majority (55 per cent) said their quality of life was higher than it had been a year previously – four times more than for people from the same age group who didn’t live as part of retirement community. The survey found that residents also remained healthier for longer, were more active, felt a greater sense of security, and reported less loneliness. Residents also appeared 2-5 times more likely than non-residents to be participating in an array of activities such as social events, trying new activities, getting together with friends, eating with other people and exercising.
Does having improved wellbeing facilities increase the value of the real estate? Interestingly, buying a home in a retirement development with on-site facilities does improve their value. In 2017, an analysis was undertaken by JLL into the housing with care market, managed by members of ARCO over the past 22 years. Housing with care refers to communities where support facilities are available on-site 24 hours a day, with a variety of facilities to help encourage an active and independent lifestyle. It was reported that 80 per cent of re-sales in this market increase in value, with an annual average price growth of 6 per cent per annum.
Are any of the health benefits of the wellbeing programme monitored? There are huge health benefits for residents when it comes to getting involved with the wellbeing programme. The NHS found strong evidence that older people who are active have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, some cancers, depression and dementia, even if it is as little as 150 minutes of moderate activity every week.
PHOTO: RANGEFORD VILLAGES
There’s also an array of activities, including walking clubs, a prayer group, knitting circle, golf, Zumba, arts and crafts, scrabble, bridge and book clubs. Residents can choose to be as relaxed or as active as they please and are encouraged to set up and lead their own social groups and clubs.
What other projects are you working on that involve wellness? Having worked in the Wellbeing Sector for 20 years, I help companies weave wellbeing into their culture for employees and/or customers. I have a passion for helping people have happy, healthy work lives by taking ownership of their own wellbeing and provide bespoke support to companies seeking to enhance their wellbeing offering. I also work as a wellbeing coach and consultant and am developing courses to support employees in the workplace with their wellbeing. ©Cybertrek 2021 Issue 4 2021
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