Making community living Accessible: the Abbeyfield approach
Finding the right home in later life is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about feeling at ease, keeping your independence and knowing what everything costs - with no surprises.
At Abbeyfield, affordability isn’t an afterthought. It’s built into how we design our communities, the way we structure charges and the support we offer to help residents make the most of their money.
Many older people tell us they want a friendly community, light-touch support and clear prices they can plan around. Families want the same - a fair, transparent approach that gives peace of mind. As a long-standing charity, Abbeyfield reinvests for residents and communities, aiming to keep life simple and sociable.
Our approach to affordable senior living is simple - transparent prices, everyday value and guidance on the benefits that may help, so residents can focus on living well.
Affordability at a glance
- Monthly charges cover the cost of your home and shared spaces, with service charges explained in plain English.
- Shared meals, activities and maintained spaces reduce individual outgoings and the hidden costs of living alone.
- Many residents offset their rent with Universal Credit or Housing Benefit payments. We can help signpost you to the application process.
- Living among friends helps reduce isolation and loneliness, which supports wellbeing and can lower health risks and unplanned costs.
What affordability means at Abbeyfield
Affordability means clarity, fairness and support. Residents see what they pay for – their own space plus the shared lounges, meals, bills, gardens and dining rooms that make daily life easier and friendlier.
As a not-for-profit housing and care provider, with charity status, founded in 1956, our aim is to keep quality high and costs reasonable, reinvesting into homes and community life rather than paying shareholders. To make managing these costs as simple as possible, our preference is for payment through one easy monthly Direct Debit. This ensures residents can enjoy their home without the worry of managing multiple individual bills.
Guidance on entitlement options
We work in partnership with the charity Independent Age. They offer specialist advice and support regarding affordability and benefits specifically for those over pensionable age, providing an extra layer of expert guidance for our residents.
Why affordability matters for later life
- Comfort and control: knowing your monthly fee helps with financial planning and avoids variable and unexpected household bills.
- Financial support pathways: Pension or Universal Credit and Housing Benefit can top up income and unlock further help
- Covering essential service charges: our team provides clear guidance on service charges, helping you identify the specific costs that qualify for financial support so you don’t pay more than you need to
- Wellbeing: NHS and Age UK highlight that loneliness can harm health; a sociable setting supports mood and confidence.
Affordable doesn’t mean basic - it means right-sized, transparent and supportive so residents can live well.
How affordability works across Abbeyfield services
Here is a summary of our various services to help you consider our value for money:
Independent Living
- Staff on-site during the day (if needed).
- Self-contained apartments for over-55s with easy access to communal areas such as lounges, activity rooms and dining rooms.
- You manage your own household budget with optional paid services such as meals.
- May suit those who want lower ongoing property maintenance while staying fully independent.
Sheltered Housing
- Private rooms or apartments with shared lounges and dining.
- Predictable monthly costs; many homes include regular meals, utilities, council tax and activities, reducing the need to budget for solo food and leisure costs.
- Staff on site (typically during the day), to provide every day advice and support.
Residential Care Homes
- For those needing daily personal care with personalised care plans.
- Staff are on-site 24/7.
- All meals, refreshments and bills included.
- Private en-suite rooms with shared lounges, activity rooms and dining rooms.
- Planned activities tailored to resident requests organised by an Activities Coordinator.
- Fees are higher due to staffing and care costs; CQC-regulated standards apply across England.
Dementia Friendly Care Homes
- All of the above mentioned in Residential Care with the addition of specialist dementia support.
- Clear fees reflecting higher staffing and therapeutic environments, with CQC regulatory oversight.
Affordability across service types (comparison table)
| Affordability attribute | Independent Living | Sheltered Housing | Residential Care | Dementia Friendly Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home and Accommodation | Self-contained apartment or bungalow. | Private en-suite room within a supported community. | Private en-suite room. | Specialist designed secure room/suite. |
| Care & Support | Communal support included. | Housing-related support and wellbeing checks. | Full personal care and 24-hour support. | Full personal care, and specialised 24/7 memory care. |
| What’s typically included |
|
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|
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| Safety & Security | On-site staff. Secure entry and emergency call systems. | On-site staff presence and 24hr emergency cover. | Fully CQC regulated and monitored safe environment. | Fully CQC regulated, dementia-friendly navigation and safety. |
| Predictability of monthly costs | Medium | High | High | High |
| Potential subsidised benefits |
|
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| Community and wellbeing value | Strong | Very Strong | Very strong care-led value | Strong clinical and therapeutic value |
Curious about how our prices work in your area and whether you could receive support with costs?
Find a home near you and talk to our friendly team today.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Downsizing running costs, sharing well-maintained spaces, and having the cost of meals, activities and utilities included in many house fees can reduce monthly outgoings
Yes, depending on your circumstances. Pension Credit can increase your income and open access to further help such as Universal Credit. Contact your nearest home for further information.
While our house teams cannot complete applications on your behalf, we are here to support you. We can provide direct links to official resources and connect you with expert local advisors to guide you through the process.
Yes. Where personal care is provided, services in England are regulated by the Care Quality Commission.
Unlike care homes, sheltered housing is not inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Instead, all our housing services are regulated by The Regulator of Social Housing. We strictly adhere to their comprehensive standards and guidance to ensure your home is safe, well-managed, and provides a high-quality living environment.
The NHS and Age UK highlight that loneliness can harm health; being connected can support wellbeing and reduce risks associated with isolation.
Next steps
What type of care do I need?
If you think you, or someone you know, needs care, the first step is to get a care needs assessment from your local council. We've put together a guide on the care needs assessment process, how to prepare and what happens after you've had an assessment.
When is the right time to move into a care home?
Arranging care at home or moving into residential care or sheltered living can be a complex process, but we’re here to help. We’ll take you through paying for care, step by step.
Housing options for older people
If you’re thinking about where you might like to move as you get older we can help. We've listed some housing options for older people for you to explore and find out the difference between each.