There was a time when the life expectancy of the average British adult was around 35. Hard work and tough living conditions as well as poor medical knowledge meant that life expectancy was short compared to the longevity we witness today. In the twenty-first century it is not uncommon to be celebrating the birthday of a relative that has reached ninety and is still nimble enough to celebrate. A telegram from the Queen for a 100th birthday is infinitely more common than it was 70 years ago. Thanks to improvements in medical care and living conditions in general, it can be expected that the average adult will have a happy and healthy life post retirement.

As longevity has increased, so has the need for retirement or care homes for those that don't wish to live alone. The days where many generations of a family would live together under one roof have dissipated due to work commitments and relocation. The new generation of care for the elderly is through the provision of care homes that provide a happy and homely environment. A care home today will provide entertainment and activities that span sports, music, art and comedy amongst other things.

The bad press that is afforded to care homes by what some people term the media circus has led to a somewhat jaded view of the entire care industry. Reports of mistreatment and neglect have featured heavily in the tabloid press and horror stories have been bandied about in an unbalanced system of reportage. Rarely do we read stories of the successes and good work carried out in residential homes in the UK. If the media is not reporting allegations of abuse and misconduct then they are often reporting the many closures that have been forced by the government in recent years.

This is a very unfortunate and yet very real problem. Changes in legislation have made it increasingly difficult for older care homes to remain open. However, this has seen an increase in the availability of more modern types of care home. Many people associate residential homes with the elderly and incapacitated, but as life expectancy increases, the vitality of certain age groups increase too. Care homes are not just about elderly residents making a new life; they also function as a place to take a break and meet new people.

It is becoming common for residential homes to offer accommodation for short stays. This allows an elderly person to gradually become accustomed to the environment of a residential care home, or to take a break from living by themselves for a while. Being able to visit on open days or enjoy the activities on offer enable a person to integrate with others of their own age group and have a sense of solidarity and understanding amongst their peers.

Opting to move into a care home is opting for a new life of freedom. Without having to fight to do the daily chores involved with running a home, there is a chance to live a life that has time for fun and interaction. Care homes today offer a social networking opportunity that reflects the nature of the residents. A long life can be a happy life when there are other people around to enjoy your time with.