One of the things we’ve heard a lot from Owners over the years is that they love the environment at their Court, where they can enjoy their privacy and independence but also have the company of friends and neighbours. Owners share many common considerations when it comes to the decision to move from the family home. However, there is also a common regret, that they wish they’d made the move sooner.

Colin’s new beginning

Colin’s family wrote this wonderful account of his new beginning.

At the age of 85 Colin found himself in a bit of a dilemma. Thus far he’d had a great life – 50+ years of happy marriage, a successful career as a surveyor, two daughters, four grandchildren, a cat and a lovely home in the Northeast.

However, things were changing. Marian had finally lost her battle with Alzheimer’s, Sue and Helen were settled with their families a few hours down the motorway and their wonderful friends and neighbours of the last 30 years were all beginning to drift away in one way or another. For the first time in his life, Colin was starting to feel a bit lonely. He loved his home and garden (though admittedly he was needing a little more help coping with both).

He enjoyed the freedom of having his car – though the running costs were proving high for the number of journeys he made – and actually if he was honest, he wasn’t so confident taking the motorway to see the family anymore. The girls did visit as often as they could and – maybe he was imagining it – but did these visits involve more ‘helping out’ these days?

Perhaps it was time for a change

He was definitely coping, but was he living? Was it time for a change? A smaller bungalow nearer one of the girls perhaps, or maybe one of those retirement villages he’d read about? But what was the first step? Was he ready, able or confident enough to start a new life? And what about Millie, the cat?

Maybe it was easier to stay with what he knew and wait for the inevitable.

This is how Colin’s new life began.

A new home at Deerhurst Court

With the support of his family, he put his lovely home up for sale and together they researched the right new home – independent yet sheltered, private yet sociable – Deerhurst Court. A hub of similarly aged, like-minded people who had led fulfilling and interesting lives, with memories to share and so much more to experience. Men and women who valued their independence and the privacy of their own home with a social life down the corridor. Games of Whist or Bridge, a jigsaw companion, afternoon tea and a chin wag in the lounge, even the odd evening of Bagatelle or an exercise class! Or actually just settling down in the lounge to watch a film with his friends.

His spacious apartment had 2 bedrooms and he used one as an office. The kitchen was perfect for making his own meals (though he did often choose to meet up with others for lunch downstairs) and the living area was easily big enough to entertain family and new friends.

He liked the idea of a friendly manager, always on hand at the touch of a button in times of need and the weekly ‘Owners time’ giving help with cleaning, ironing or errands. The management fee was subsidised and without the cost of running his previous home and car he found himself saving money! It was all so much simpler too.

Easy access to his local area as well as easy living

Deerhurst’s location, a short walk to Mell Square and Solihull town centre with all manner of shops, cafes and restaurants was so convenient he surprised himself by selling his car. His new GP and optician were round the corner, Solihull hospital a stone’s throw away and the local Morrison’s had a pharmacy- frankly, all essential commodities for an octogenarian!

We could wax lyrical for longer but the truth is Deerhurst Court and all its occupants opened up dad’s later life. He met all manner of society with owners, their families and visitors and the cheerful staff. He made new friends and memories. His experiences at Deerhurst were a worry-free mix of fun and friendship, privacy and respect. He saw more of his family and every day had the potential to be different and fulfilling.

His only regret?

He wished he’d taken the plunge sooner and indulged longer and actually, so do we!