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<\/p>\nWith its marble-clad swimming pool, luxury private cinema and wood-panelled library, it is not the usual sort of old people\u2019s home.<\/p>\n
Even calling it an old people\u2019s home is likely to raise the hackles among high-brow staff such as the 24-hour concierge, the cocktail barman or the wellbeing manager.<\/p>\n
Instead they prefer to call it a \u2018later-life community\u2019 where pensioners can enjoy a retirement home that feels more like a five-star hotel, and comes with a spa, a steam room and endless other luxuries.<\/p>\n
They don\u2019t even like to call it a care home, although care is available \u2013 at a price.<\/p>\n
This is the latest in retirement living, a set of apartments in Kensington and Fulham, London, designed for wealthy over-65s, the \u2018boomers\u2019 who don\u2019t want to compromise on how they live out their days.<\/p>\n
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The marble-clad pool for residents of a new\u00a0‘later-life community’ in West London – just don’t call it a care home<\/p>\n
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Residents can put their feet up in the complex’s cinema room\u00a0<\/p>\n
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With luxury fittings including this library area, the development is designed for wealthy over-65s<\/p>\n
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The smart Italian restaurant is perfect for \u2018boomers\u2019 who don\u2019t want to compromise on how they live out their days<\/p>\n
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And for pensioners who love a night out, they can settle down for drinks with a dedicated cocktail barman<\/p>\n
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The luxury and high-tech kitchen of one of the luxury flats\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the United States, six per cent of pensioners live in \u2018integrated retirement communities\u2019, but in the UK this figure is only 0.6 per cent, and Britain also lags behind Australia, New Zealand\u00a0and Scandinavian countries.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The number of people aged over 65 living in the UK is forecast to increase by 20 per cent to 12million by 2027.<\/p>\n
At this complex run by the company Riverstone, all residents are offered a \u2018wellbeing MOT\u2019 by a team of healthcare and fitness experts who can help devise an exercise regime, assist in making GP appointments and enjoying the facilities on offer.<\/p>\n
As well as the swimming pool, there is a gym with personal trainer, a billiards room, a private cinema with plush armchairs, and an upscale Italian restaurant.<\/p>\n
All of this does not come cheap, with flats in the development costing \u00a3785,000 for a one-bed and \u00a31.5million for a two-bed. There is also a \u00a31,300 monthly service charge.<\/p>\n
But in return for their money, residents get an opulence and level of service scarcely seen in more standard old people\u2019s homes.<\/p>\n
Riverstone founder Julian Mercer said: \u2018We are selling a lifestyle here, differentiating ourselves from care homes. It is a better way of living for a lot of people who are maybe bereaved, living alone or lonely. They can come in here and meet new people.\u2019<\/p>\n
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Riverstone has social areas designed to help the lonely and bereaved<\/p>\n
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The community also has extensive and mature gardens with outdoor eating areas<\/p>\n
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A calming water feature in one of the gardens of the properties<\/p>\n
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And sporty residents can rack up a game of pool with their mates<\/p>\n
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The luxuriously-designed living areas found at Riverstone<\/p>\n
There is a dedicated organiser of museum trips, talks and presentations, and he said residents are offered programmes of activities curated by a \u2018Wellbeing director\u2019 to stimulate the mind, body and soul. He said: \u2018The wonderful thing about Riverstone is that you can be involved as little or as much as you like, meaning you can continue to live independently, but you will never feel alone. It\u2019s your choice.\u2019<\/p>\n
Chief executive Martin Earp added: \u2018We’re seeing a distinct shift in behaviour towards retirement from the baby boomer generation from that of their parents. In many ways, they are reinventing the retirement rulebook and looking for later living solutions that enable them to stay active and independent for as long as possible.\u2019<\/p>\n