28 min 10 sec
Episode 8: Inside the evolving world of later living
Exploring the benefits, challenges and future of independent later living communities.
In this episode
FirstPort's Mairead McErlean and Ed Cooper are joined by Coral Harvey, Senior Consultant at SAY Property Consultants, to explore the later living sector. Together, they challenge common misconceptions about retirement communities, examine key issues including affordability, service charges and resale values, and discuss how technology, new housing models and changing consumer expectations are shaping the future of independent later living.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding independent living: Later living communities promote independence, offering residents greater choice, flexibility and access to support when needed.
- Community matters: Retirement communities help tackle loneliness and isolation by creating opportunities for social connection and engagement.
- Costs and affordability: The panel explores service charges, affordability and resale values, and what residents should consider before moving.
- A sector in transition: New models such as integrated retirement communities, renting and shared ownership are changing the later living landscape.
- Looking ahead: Technology, energy efficiency and changing consumer expectations are shaping the future of later living.
Episode details
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Read more about the future of the later living sector: The next evolution of Later Living: Why experience, flexibility and community will define the sector
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Mairead McErlean
Head of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs, FirstPort
Mairead is Head of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs at FirstPort, where she provides strategic guidance on current and emerging legislation and regulatory frameworks.
Ed Cooper
Director of Region, FirstPort
Ed is Director of Region – Later Living at FirstPort, leading the teams that care for the 60,000 later living properties under FirstPort’s management
Coral Harvey
Senior Consultant, SAY Property
Coral is a Senior Consultant at SAY Property, with more than 10 years' experience in residential property management, specialising in the later living sector. She also serves as a board member of the Association of Retirement Housing Managers (ARHM).
Transcript
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