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Does living in a retirement village extend life expectancy? The case of Whiteley Village
- Authors:
- MAYHEW Les, RICKAYZEN Ben, SMITH David
- Publisher:
- International Longevity Centre UK
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 49
- Place of publication:
- London
Using the case of Whiteley Village in Surrey, this joint report from the International Longevity Centre UK and Cass Business School investigates potential of retirement village life to increase the life expectancy of its residents. The report provides a brief background to the history of Whiteley Village, a charitable retirement community established in 1914, now comprising of just under 500 older people. It provides details of the accommodation and services provided, which include extra care housing, a residential home and a nursing homes; provides a demographic analysis of Villagers; compares the mortality experience in Whiteley Village with that of the wider population in England and Wales; and analyses the longevity of Villagers compared with the wider population through a detailed examination of the life-spans of people that joined the Village in the decades from 1930 to 1980. The findings show that female Villagers have experienced an increase in life expectancy compared to the general female population. The result is even more striking, considering the lower financial means of Villagers, relative to the general population. Although there was no evidence to show that the male residents of Whiteley had increased longevity, there was evidence that the majority lived at least as long on average. The report concludes that it is possible to create a socially stimulating and safe environment in which older people can enjoy a longer retirement in peace and comfort than would have been be experienced by similar individuals in the general population. It also suggests that retirement villages, or similar environments, are capable of combating the negative effects on health and social well-being of low economic means and isolation. (Edited publisher abstract)