FAQs

We welcome any person aged 55 years and over to live at Abbeyfield - whether you want to downsize, simply want to live in companionship with others, or no longer feel able to continue living in your own home.

Yes – a number of our retirement homes have rooms or apartments especially for couples. When you have found a home you’re interested in, simply contact the house to check whether they accommodate couples.

We want you to feel at home, so all rooms are tastefully decorated, usually with new carpet and curtains. As most of our rooms come unfurnished, you can bring your own furniture and most treasured possessions with you when you move in and get your room looking just the way you want it.

In all our care homes and some of our supported housing, the cleaning and tidying of your room is included. However, in some houses cleaning is not provided if this is something that you feel you need, then a cleaner can be arranged for you at an agreed cost.

In most of our homes, you can plug a landline phone into an existing socket with the telephone bill charged at an additional cost. Often, there’s a phone that everyone can use. Usually there is a TV in a communal lounge, but you're very welcome to have your own television in your room as well.

Wi-Fi is available to all our residents in all of our homes. Residents are very welcome to arrange their own internet services within their room at an additional cost.

All our care homes and independent living homes are equipped with en-suite bathrooms, although some older supported housing properties have communal facilities. All of our new developments we are building will have en-suites included and often, spa/accessible bathrooms too.

Our freshly prepared home cooked food is one of the things our residents like most about living at Abbeyfield. Our housekeepers and chefs take a lot of pride in the food they serve to residents taking into account resident's favourite meals and dietary requirements. In care homes, our staff will prepare all daily meals. In our sheltered houses, we provide you with two nutritious home cooked meals every day, at times to suit you.

Yes – family and friends are welcome to visit you whenever suits, after all, this is your home. Many homes have warm, welcoming communal spaces for you and your guests, as well as lovely gardens for entertaining in the summer. Family and friends are also welcome to join you for meals, events and activities at your house. Some, but not all, of our homes have guest rooms to stay over and guest parking spaces. Do ask about this when you visit.

Sheltered Housing is designed for people who have a high level of independence, but with the reassurance of support and companionship if they need it. House managers and volunteers are there when required and two meals are provided daily.

Residential Care Homes are especially designed to accommodate those who have higher support needs with everyday tasks such as washing and dressing with staff on hand 24 hours a day. A wide range of services and care packages are available.

Many houses do allow pets; this will vary from home to home, so it is best to ask the home that you are interested in.

Moving into a retirement home is a big decision and has to be right for you. Many of our homes offer the opportunity a trial stay period. This can be arranged with the house manager when you visit to look round. Many residents who have a trial stay often love it so much they make their decision to stay in the first few days but, of course, there is no pressure to stay after your trial has ended if you don’t think the house is right for you.

We have been providing housing options for older people for over 60 years. Abbeyfield is a charity, and as a not for profit organisation, we reinvest in our houses, staff and volunteers to make sure you are comfortable, safe and happy. You can read more about how Abbeyfield was founded and our heritage here.

Once you've found a home you'd like to move into, you can get in touch directly with the house.

1. Find the right home on our website.
2. Contact the house by email or phone to arrange a visit
3. Complete our application form. If you need any assistance, our house managers will be there to help.

There are different types of options for living with us. In some developments you can buy your own property and there are also leaseholds and rented accommodation. We'll go through it all and explain everything in more detail before you need to make a decision. Having a low income won't necessarily stop you from being able to live with us.