Of course, the prospect of entering a nursing home may not be the most appealing from the outset. But in many cases, a nursing home is the ideal solution for people who find themselves unable to lead as independent a life as they have in the past. Like it or not, there will probably come a time in all of our lives when we require assistance with even day-to-day living, and a nursing home offers the levels of 24-hour care which would simply be impossible without employing a round the clock nurse.

But in addition to the peace of mind that a nursing home brings, there is also the added sense of security and companionship that comes with spending time with people of a similar age.

Activities at a nursing home will be age-appropriate, and will probably lead to a person leading a more active life than they would have if they were left to fend for themselves at home.

Of course, there are many retired people who are simply not ready for a nursing home - people who lead an independent and active lifestyle, but who are looking to share the rest of their lives in comfort and safety.

A retirement village could be the answer, and in Middletown House near Gorey, residents can enjoy all the security and amenities that come with a nursing home, with the all independence that comes with living in their own houses. Middletown House opened its doors as a nursing home in 1984, but, recognising the need for independence, husband and wife operating team Joe Butler and Ingrid Ashmore-Butler built 20 spacious bungalows which create a perfect community for retired people - indeed, Joe Butler described the concept of a retirement village close to a nursing as "the ideal solution to the needs of independent retired people".