Am I eligible?
To make sure that you will be comfortable in retirement housing, and it suits your lifestyle, we have developed the following criteria, which your application must meet:
14/06/2010
Age
RHP's retirement schemes are designed for people over 60. In exceptional circumstances, we can consider younger applicants if retirement housing the most suitable accommodation to meet your needs - for example, if you are approaching retirement age, or if you have a physical disability.
Independence
If you enjoy an independent lifestyle, with or without additional care or adaptations, our retirement schemes could be right up your street. Our schemes aren't 'care homes', so you are still in charge of cooking, managing bills and looking after any medication.
You may prefer to have a carer or support services to help you do these things. As our scheme managers do not offer personal care, it is essential that you can get around your flat without help.
To make sure that your new home is right for you, it's important that you understand your own needs and the rights as a tenant of RHP.
Your current circumstances
We welcome applicants from other areas - you do not have to be an existing resident of Richmond Borough or an RHP customer.
If you are a home-owner you must demonstrate that you are in need of retirement housing. You will be offered a studio flat with shared bathing facilities and your application will need to be considered by senior staff and Board members.
Independent advice
For independent advice on the best type of housing for you, please call the Elderly Accommodation Council line on 020 7820 1343, or write to them at 3rd Floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7TP.
Email: enquiries@e-a-c.demon.co.uk, or visit www.housingcare.org.
Is retirement housing the right option?
Is retirement housing the best option for you? Are you ready to move house or is there an alternative? These can be difficult questions, which you, a friend, or relative may be facing. The EAC (Elderly Accommodation Council) HOOP questionnaire, can help you find the answers.
HOOP is a simple question & answer technique to help older people assess their housing situation and clarify what information they need to tackle problems or realise their hopes. It invites you to look at different aspects of your home and think about which things are right and which things are not. If you identify problems, HOOP draws on all the resources of www.housingcare.org to present you with options for solving these.