Life inside Mill View: The Cambridge retirement community described as 'five star' by visitors
The development - exclusively for the over-55s - has a roof terrace, cafe and hair salon
Joseph Dexter
Deciding that your parents should leave their family home due to old age or health issues can be one of the hardest things to do.
Whether they have been living there for over 40 years, or if you have fond memories of a wonderful childhood it can be hard to let go, for both you and your family.
What's important is that your loved ones are in the safest possible hands, and have the access to all the care they need under one roof.
Mill View retirement complex in Hauxton not only offers round-the-clock-care but provides both residents and their families peace of mind with 24-hour security.
With a range of stylish and spacious two-bedroom apartments available, you are just a short drive from Cambridge City Centre and Addenbrooke's Hospital.
We spoke to residents, family members and staff about the complex they liken to a five-star hotel. Here Meryl Pithers, from Cottenham, told us of how her parents' move to Mill View changed their lives immeasurably.
"We started 2019 in despair but we start 2020 with relief"
Meryl couldn't be happier with the services provided at Mill View (Image: Edward Starr Photographer)
Meryl first noticed the signs for Mill View while driving past the development. Both her parents needed looking after and the complex was the perfect option.
She said: "This time last year I was very worried about my parents' care needs. As the year progressed they became more acute because my mother had a fall and my father was admitted to hospital.
"My sister and I decided that they needed somewhere more suitable to live in. When we found Mill View it was a wonderful discovery to find out that extra care involved on-site carers, well laid out accommodation with wide corridors, accessible doorways and a very secure entry system.
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"The whole ambiance - it's like a five star hotel. It's so easy to get into Cambridge or to Addenbrooke's. There's also a great pub round the corner too.
"It's given my parents a new lease of life. It's much easier for them to get about. It's a nice, comfortable place to live and a lovely place to go and visit them."
One of the biggest draws for Meryl was ensuring the safety and security for her parents. Mill View has designed each apartment specifically to ensure ease of access for residents as well as an on-site security team.
There is even an on site hair salon (Image: Edward Starr Photographer)
Meryl, 54, explained: "Both my parents had a few falls in their cottage that was totally unsuitable for them with a bathroom in one place and the toilet in another. The way these apartments are laid out is very clever.
"Loneliness can be a terrible thing. We don't have to worry about that here as they can go to the lounge and meet everyone.
"We started 2019 in despair but we start 2020 with relief knowing that they they are being so well looked after and in such a nice home.
"If anything needs doing it's done right away without fuss. We know that they are in the best possible hands."
What do her parents think?
Ted lives in Mill View with his wife Anne (Image: Edward Starr Photographer)
Having lived in a small, cramped cottage in Greater Manchester, Ted Hughes, 79 and his wife Anne, 78, knew that they needed to find somewhere more suitable to live.
Both Meryl and her sister Fiona knew that if their parents ever needed any help it would be best if they lived closer.
Despite being slightly reluctant to move away at first, both Ted and Anne were delighted to find somewhere that met their needs.
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Ted said: "I've only been in my new home since the start of the new year. I know that this accommodation was the best idea for both myself and my wife.
"The kitchen is also a good size and although I learned all my cooking skills at sea I have improved slightly. I can store plenty of things there so we didn't have to get rid of any of our treasured items."
How have other residents settled in?
Mill View has a cafe for residents and their guests to use
Since moving into Mill View in last August, Marian Perkins has been given the care and support she needs from the team. She feels as if she has been given a new lease of life.
Marian said: "When I first walked in to view this place I just thought that this is it. I just knew it was right for me and I couldn't do better.
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"When I first moved here I went through a bout of depression - really, really bad. Without those carers I don't think I would have got through it.
"The care options here for me are absolutely fantastic. The carers are wonderful. It's made a lot of difference to me.
"I feel so safe here. It really gives me peace of mind knowing that there are people looking out for me. I've never known anything like this level of care."
Mill View has large communal areas for residents to befriend their neighbours (Image: Edward Starr Photographer)
Is it easy to make friends at Mill View?
Marian has also made a lot of new friends at Mill View, including Margaret Smart, 73, and her dog Bertie, 5.
Margaret was surprised that Mill View allowed pets and is relieved to know Bertie has settled in well.
She said: "When I first moved in with Bertie after my husband passed away he seemed quite nervous and wouldn't eat.
"Now he's got used to the place he loves saying hi and meeting everyone. Marian looks after him every now and then which is an enormous help too."
What care options are available?
There are plenty of comfortable communal spaces (Image: Edward Starr Photographer)
There are several care options available at Mill View, with residents choosing to opt in as much as they like or need.
Each person has to pay a small fee for two hours of care per week, but residents who want or need more help can do so.
There are no large fees or issues about having to pay for care that you don't need as it is based on each individuals needs and circumstances.
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Whether you need a member of staff to help you out of bed in the morning or to simply remind you when to take your medication the team can cater for all.
A 24-hour emergency response service is also available in each apartment in case of any accidents or concerns.
What do Mill View staff have to say?
Each apartment boasts plenty of space (Image: Edward Starr Photographer)
Mill View is unlike your typical care home and wants the challenge the common misconceptions about retirement living.
Helen Etherington, Retirement Living Area Manager at bpha, the housing association that owns Mill View, understand that Mill View offers so much more than your standard retirement complex.
She explained: "I think what makes Mill View stand out it's kind of a breakaway from what the traditional retirement living community is thought of.
Mill View has a range of shared ownership and rented apartments available (Image: Edward Starr Photographer)
"Rather than high back chairs and places you go into and think this is really an older persons community, it's been designed to make it look modern to appeal to the older person in more modern times.
"bpha has a breadth of experience working within retirement living. As a result we can make sure that we are offering older people a really good service for very reasonable prices."
Can Mill View residents keep their independence?
The kitchens all have several built in appliances (Image: Edward Starr Photographer)
When moving into a retirement complex it can often be assumed that you may lose some of your freedom, but that couldn't be further from the case at Mill View.
Residents can enjoy being left to their own devices and live each day as they please.
Janet Bennett is the Sales Advisor at Mill View working on the shared ownership side of the business. She knows that residents can live as independently as they wish.
She said: "Here at Mill View what we are all about is having your own home, but with care on hand.
Hot meals are provided every day at the on site café (Image: Edward Starr Photographer)
"Rather than going into a retirement home, you've actually got your own facilities here, your own apartment and your own cooking facilities.
"You have the support of the care staff. Generally you can be on your own and be an individual and independent in your apartment or you have the choice and can come out into the communal areas and mix with other people."
How can I find out more?
Mill View is the perfect place to make your new home (Image: Edward Starr Photographer)
Where: Mill View, St Edmunds Way, Hauxton, Cambridge, CB22 5GA
Call: Sales on 01223 606656 or rentals on 03301 000272
Email: sales@domovohomes.co.uk
Online: Visit the Mill View website here or the Domovo Homes website here.
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