Are you, or someone close to you, considering sheltered living? Moving is a big change and you'll likely have lots of questions. In this blog, we answer the questions our team get asked most often.

What is Sheltered Living?

Sheltered living, sometimes called sheltered housing or retirement housing, is all about staying independent - while knowing help is nearby if you need it. You’ll have your own space to enjoy your later years, but with the added comfort that there’s always someone around for a friendly chat, a home-cooked meal, or help with the odd chore.

Not only do you get your own private room, but you also become part of a friendly and sociable community. And, for extra peace of mind, all our houses have a 24-hour on-call system.

How does Sheltered Living work?

With sheltered living, you have your own room with an ensuite bathroom and a small kitchenette. This means you can make your own breakfast, drinks, and snacks whenever you like. You can furnish your space however you want – it’s your home! While friends and family are welcome to pop by any time, just like they would if you were living in your own house.

With sheltered living you get:

• Your own front door
• Private ensuite room
• Kitchenette
• Tasty home-cooked meals
• 24-hour on-call system
• Bills included (including council tax)
• Shared lounge, dining area, and garden

If you enjoy a bit of company, you’ll love our shared lounges, dining areas, and gardens, where you can meet up with other residents or simply relax. Our staff and volunteers are always around for a chat, too. But if you prefer some quiet time, you can sit back and enjoy the garden or watch the world go by.

Delicious home-cooked meals are provided, along with everyday housekeeping. All your household utility and maintenance bills as well as your council taxes are included in the cost. Plus, we can arrange cleaning, laundry, and even extra personal care services to make sure you’re fully supported.

What's included in the monthly costs?

Great question! Your monthly costs for an Abbeyfield South Downs house (not Holdenhurst) cover:

• Utility bills & council tax
• TV licence
• Out-of-hours personal alarm
• Weekly cleaning
• Lunch and dinner daily

It's a comprehensive package designed to make living at one of our houses hassle-free and comfortable. If you have any specific queries or need more details, feel free to ask our helpful house manager. They're always here to assist, starting from that first enquiry!

For Holdenhurst enquiries, please click here to view our dedicated website for more information.

Do you accept housing benefits?

We often get asked this, and the answer is yes, Abbeyfield South Downs welcomes people claiming housing benefit. Housing benefit may pay all or part of your rent and service charge, and your individual financial circumstances will determine how much you are awarded by the local authority.

Can I arrange a guest stay at your houses?

Absolutely! We are happy to arrange a guest stay for you, where possible, to see if sheltered living is right for you.

Moving is a big change, and we will do our best to ensure you are happy and comfortable in your chosen house. We want you to feel that you’ve made the right choice with us. To make sure everything aligns perfectly, talk to the house manager. They'll be delighted to assist you and provide all the info you need for your stay.

Do you allow pets at your houses?

We often get asked this, and the answer is often yes, although it will depend on the location of the room and the size and type of pet involved.

Here at Abbeyfield South Downs, we know people love their pets and leaving them behind can prove a real wrench. Many of our houses welcome people and their pets, so it's always best to ask the individual house manager about your beloved companion.