A Better Life? The role of retirement and extra care housing in promoting quality of

life for people with high support needs

Imogen BloodAHRM, 19th June 2013

A Better Life programme

• Older people with high support needs

• Quality of life• Voices of older people

Overview of the research3 UK-wide, cross-sectorQualitative HWC studies

Evidence review

2 quantitative studies with NewPolicy Institute

Whose responsibility?

Affordability for self-funders

Supportive communities

Affordability of retirement housing

Older people’s housing: choice, quality of life & under-occupation

Supported housing for older people in UK

Practice examples

Affordability Guide

• What do older people with

high support needs value

most about housing with

support and/or care?

• What can providers do to

maximise their quality of life?

Rights

• Housing rights: ‘my own front door’

• Private family life• Controlling entry• Choosing to mix• Maintaining my

independence

Maintaining my independence

Relationships• Living as a couple• Relationships with

carers and other staff• Living in a community• Family can visit but

have peace of mind• Keeping in touch with

former networks

Part of a community

What can get in the way?• Affordability• Gaps and grey areas• Organisational change• Culture & behaviour

of whole community• Expectations, different

models, lack of choice

Try before you buy

Information and Advice

• Managing expectations: being

honest about what it is (and isn’t)?

• Affordability for self-funders:

benefits, charges, changes of

circumstance

• Understanding rights and

responsibilities

Benefits advice

Positive culture? Trusted provider?

Shared vision

Good staff

Leadership

Values

Design

CommunicationRights &

Responsibilities

Involving older people effectively

Working across boundaries……

When it works well……..

“This is independent living and all the

staff work so well together. They

have good relationships and this

comes from the top – [care

manager] is brilliant at being

professional and neutral and

approachable.”

Find out more: Pick up a free copy of the publications today

or online at http://www.jrf.org.uk/work/workarea/better-life

Come to our workshop on affordabilityGet in touch: imogen@imogenblood.co.ukhttp://www.imogenblood.co.uk/ Twitter @ImogenBlood