Extra Care Housing
Extra Care Housing provides additional services, over and above those usually provided by sheltered or retirement housing. Older people are able to buy, rent or part-buy/rent a property and additional support and security is available to meet their care needs.
Many older people find that it offers an alternative to a care home. One advantage of Extra Care Housing is that home owners may be able to keep some of the equity in their property. Other positive aspects include greater privacy and independence, couples being able to stay together, and social and leisure opportunities that can be enjoyed at the resident's convenience.
In the last year (2006-07), Staffordshire County Council increased the number of extra care units in the county by more than fourteen-fold - from 24 units to 353 - some of these will accommodate couples, so more than 353 people are accommodated. During the next two years we expect at least another 190 units to become available.
What Extra Care Housing offers
The range of the services on offer varies, but it usually covers personal care needs only and not nursing care.
Extra Care Housing may include blocks of flats, bungalow estates and retirement villages.
Services may include
• residents' lounge
• guest room or suite
• laundry
• restaurant or dining room
• health & fitness facilities
• hobby rooms and even computer rooms
• alarm systems to alert staff if you fall or have an emergency
• other forms of assistive technology
Domestic support and personal care are available, usually provided by on-site staff.
Before making a move to Extra Care Housing you should
• check what social and care services are available
• see if these meet your needs
• check how they are paid for
• find out who runs them
• check whether you are eligible for financial help
• check what will happen if you become more frail than you are now, or if you become confused
You should seek professional advice before signing a lease or tenancy agreement.
Types of Extra Care Housing
Close care
This means housing for older people alongside a care home. The care home will deliver personal care services to the residents and/or will facilitate a possible transition to the care home if needed. This form of housing may be a preferred choice for couples with different care needs, or for a person who expects their health to degenerate.
Very sheltered housing
Assisted Living
Another name for Extra Care Housing.
Retirement villages
These are increasingly popular, and may vary in size from an estate to a village-sized development of bungalows, flats or houses, intended for occupation by older people. Many such retirement complexes will include a care home and thus offer the advantages of close care.
More information
Staffordshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites linked from this page.
http://www.housingcare.org/
This site is for people of all ages who want to make sure their home will still suit them as they grow older. It will help you explore all options before making decisions. It offers information about services to help you adapt or improve your home, or provide care or help at home. And if you want or need to move, it has information about all retirement housing and care homes in the UK. The site is run by the charity Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC), and backed up by our telephone Advice Line.
Supporting People
Supporting People is a national programme committed to providing a better quality of life for vulnerable people to help them live more independently and maintain their tenancies.
Last Modified:
15/08/2007 08:58:21
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