The trends of increased aging population and reduced inter-generational support are bound to exacerbate the problem. Daily concerns, such as operating a new TV or whether to trust the plumber from Yellow Pages add to stress. The trauma of moving to a ‘care home’ as a last move, when one is least able to cope with it, does not bear thinking of.
AN emerging response to these problems are the Retirement communities.  Not the American model of ‘retirement towns’ with thousands of elderly residents and few younger people, but the smaller local communities of 200 – 400 elderly people who benefit from a range of services while also being in touch with the younger surrounding world.  These have been flourishing in Israel for over 20 years, can be found in north European countries, and are now spreading in the UK. These communities provide a full range of social and cultural activities, in-house home maintenance and health care, including a high-care unit for people who would otherwise have to move away from their familiar environment and friends.

Lichfield Planning has been involved with planning for such communities in Israel in collaboration with a senior manager of several of these communities.  See their examples on http://duns100.dundb.co.il/companies/600283436/index.asp

In the UK we have produced a comprehensive feasibility study and development brief for both urban, suburban and rural retirement communities.  An important part of feasibility is making the town Planning case for retirement communities on land that would not normally be available for market housing. Our Community Impact Analysis we can show the extent of its savings and beneficial outcomes for the relevant Local Authority.