Sponsored content
It’s easy to see why so many older adults move into retirement living communities – because they’re more than just a place to live. They’re designed to help us get the most out of later life, with a big emphasis on health and wellbeing.
From providing health checks and fitness classes to encouraging socialising through clubs and communal spaces, there are lots of ways retirement living communities can support our health and happiness.
To give you an idea of what they can offer, we’ve partnered with Wallacea Living, who provide luxury, independent living in the heart of London with a focus on health and living life to the fullest.
Below, we’ll explore 10 ways retirement living communities can benefit your wellbeing in later life.
Want to find out more about Wallacea Living?
1. Retirement living communities can make socialising simple and easy
Studies have linked frequent socialising with better physical and mental health – and joining a retirement living community is a great way to stay connected in later life.
In fact, research from ARCO, the main body representing the Integrated Retirement Community sector in the UK, shows that retirement community residents are more social than those who haven’t made the switch yet.
By joining a retirement living community, you can become part of a ready-made community of interesting and similarly-aged people – making socialising simple and accessible.
Plus, many retirement living communities are designed with socialising in mind. Wallacea Living’s luxury communal facilities (which include a landscaped garden and on-site restaurant and bar) are available whether you fancy a delicious meal or a glass of wine in the sun. Perfect for spending time with fellow residents, old friends, and loved ones.
Many retirement communities also run classes, clubs, and events for their residents, which are great places to forge and foster connections. At Wallacea Living, you can expect all kinds of activities – from wine tastings and book clubs to Latin dance sessions.
Explore Wallacea Living - Opening January 2026
Bring your curiosity and discover a new lifestyle in your luxurious Wallacea Living Marylebone apartment, with exclusive amenities like a pool, restaurant and cinema. This award-winning development is London’s most anticipated retirement living opening.
Wallacea Living can’t wait to welcome you! Call 020 3960 1000 or email [email protected] to book your personal tour.
2. Low-maintenance homes help eliminate stress
Recent research from home emergency and repair company HomeServe tells us that one in six Brits lose sleep over home maintenance worries. And this can often increase later in life when we find ourselves in a property that’s larger than we need.
However, moving to a retirement living community can offer us the chance to ‘rightsize’ to a smaller place, reducing stress and giving us the freedom to focus on ourselves, rather than our property.
What’s more, by choosing a retirement community with new-build homes like Wallacea Living, you can limit the potential stress of your property even more. Thanks to modern design and appliances, new builds typically need less maintenance than older homes.
Plus, if you do need any assistance (for example, with changing a lightbulb or adjusting your boiler settings), the Wallacea Living team is on hand to help. Residents can use the integrated technology in their apartments to contact the front desk with the touch of a button.
Want to find out more about Wallacea Living?
3. Many retirement living communities offer health classes and facilities
The ARCO research mentioned previously reveals that people who live in retirement living communities are also more active than those who haven’t yet made the switch.
One of the reasons for this is that many retirement living communities offer health classes and facilities for their residents.
For example, at their Marylebone site, Wallacea Living homeowners can access a pool, spa, and gym – plus a range of health classes, from dance to yoga and Pilates. So, whether you’d like to build strength and flexibility or get some cardio in, there’s something to suit everyone’s needs.
Wallacea Living residents can also work with their in-house teams to develop bespoke and easy-to-implement fitness and nutrition plans, which provide a comprehensive approach to staying healthy in later life.
4. Many retirement living communities offer health checks and easy access to healthcare providers
Some retirement living communities also provide services to help residents keep tabs on their health.
For example, Wallacea Living offers all of their homeowners regular, complementary health MOTs. These involve vital signs and blood pressure checks, plus a discussion about your activity levels and overall mental health.
Health checks can help us spot health issues early. But they can provide valuable peace of mind, too, allowing us the headspace to focus on the things that bring us joy and meaning, which is what later life is all about.
Other health services offered by Wallacea Living include a first aid-trained team on-site 24/7, a local prescription collection service, a bi-monthly on-site GP surgery, and priority access to a private GP booking portal.
Explore Wallacea Living - Opening January 2026
Bring your curiosity and discover a new lifestyle in your luxurious Wallacea Living Marylebone apartment, with exclusive amenities like a pool, restaurant and cinema. This award-winning development is London’s most anticipated retirement living opening.
Wallacea Living can’t wait to welcome you! Call 020 3960 1000 or email [email protected] to book your personal tour.
5. You can live with your pet
One of the common misconceptions about retirement living communities is that you can’t bring your pet with you.
While it’s true that some retirement communities don’t allow pets, many (including Wallacea Living), do. So you don’t need to worry about parting with your beloved companion, as long as they’re well-behaved. If you don’t have a pet yet, it’s great to know that you can get one in the future if you want to.
Studies show that pets may offer numerous benefits for our health and wellbeing. For example, interacting with animals has been shown to lower blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol. Pets can also boost our mood and help reduce feelings of loneliness.
Plus, if you have a dog, walking them can be a great way to get some exercise and meet other dog owners, both of which can benefit our overall wellbeing.
Want to find out more about Wallacea Living?
6. Retirement living communities prioritise green spaces
Most retirement living communities make sure their residents have plenty of access to green spaces.
For example, Wallacea Living is located near Regent’s and Hyde Park, two lush swathes of greenery where you can head for a leisurely stroll, a picnic in the sun, or even a boat ride. If you don’t fancy venturing out, there’s always the manicured garden on site where you can enjoy some restorative time.
We often underestimate the importance of green spaces for our health and wellbeing. However, studies suggest that spending time in green spaces can lower stress, boost our immune system, and generally help us live longer. They’re also pleasant places to get some exercise and vitamin D.
7. Safety and security offer peace of mind
Feeling safe and secure is key for overall wellbeing. Without them, we may feel anxious or stressed and unable to focus on things that bring us joy and meaning.
For example, concerns about leaving your home unattended could make you hesitant to travel, or fears about safety might stop you from moving somewhere you’ve always dreamed of living.
However, according to the ARCO research mentioned previously, moving to a retirement-living community is a fantastic way to bolster your sense of security.
At Wallacea Living, around-the-clock security is always on hand to keep homeowners safe. You can lock your apartment and head out, knowing your home is well looked after – whether you’re going on holiday or down the road for a meal with friends. Wallacea Living even has its own chauffeur service, which is available to make sure residents can get around the city safely.
Plus, there’s the sense of security that comes with living in a close-knit community, where people can look out for each other.
Explore Wallacea Living - Opening January 2026
Bring your curiosity and discover a new lifestyle in your luxurious Wallacea Living Marylebone apartment, with exclusive amenities like a pool, restaurant and cinema. This award-winning development is London’s most anticipated retirement living opening.
Wallacea Living can’t wait to welcome you! Call 020 3960 1000 or email [email protected] to book your personal tour.
8. Retirement communities are great places to pursue your passions and find purpose
One of the great things about later life is that it gives us the time and space to engage with activities we love and pursue our dreams.
Research shows that people with hobbies are generally healthier and happier, experience fewer symptoms of depression, and have higher life satisfaction, compared to those without.
Studies also indicate that people with a sense of purpose sleep better and have stronger immune systems, better cognitive function, and lower stress levels.
Retirement living communities typically offer a range of services and facilities to help residents pursue their passions and foster a sense of purpose. At Wallacea Living, this could mean anything from attending interviews with VIP guests to working on creative projects in the relaxed library space.
Wallacea Living’s central London location also means that everything the capital has to offer is on your doorstep. Plus, their in-house team has contacts across the city, so whether you’d like to attend the hottest art exhibition, a top-end restaurant, or a new West End show, they can help you with the logistics.
Want to find out more about Wallacea Living?
9. You can access additional care and support
Most of us will need a bit of extra support at some point. That’s why many retirement living communities offer care and support services to their residents.
At Wallacea Living, homeowners can receive bespoke support driven by their individual needs. This may include help with housework, dog walking, or preparing meals. Wallacea Living also provides companionship when needed – whether at home or on outings like health appointments.
What’s more, personal around-the-clock care – for example, palliative care or care following an illness, fall, or hospital admission – is available under a separate agreement.
10. You don’t need to compromise on privacy
Another common misconception about retirement living communities is that residents have to compromise on privacy.
However, ARCO research shows that people living in retirement living communities actually report more privacy than those who don’t. This is because retirement living communities like Wallacea Living are designed to help their residents live independently for longer.
In a retirement living community, your home is entirely your own. So, while you can use communal spaces and get involved with activities, your home is always there to offer a space to rest and relax by yourself – which is key for our overall wellbeing.
Wallacea Living also boasts communal spaces dedicated to unwinding – from the cinema and gardens to the spa.
Final thoughts…
Looking after our health and wellbeing is vital at any age, but it’s particularly important in later life. And there are many ways retirement living communities can help us with this – from providing health services to reducing stress associated with home maintenance.
So, whether you’re looking to stay socially connected, physically active, or mentally engaged in your later years, moving to a retirement living community could help you achieve all of this and more.
To get an idea of life at Wallacea Living, head over to their website using the button below. Or book a personal tour by calling 020 3960 1000.
Want to find out more about Wallacea Living?
Are you considering moving to a retirement living community? Or have you already taken the leap? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.