Advice on housing & care for older people. Sheltered housing, retirement housing, extra care housing for the elderly

Extra care (Assisted living) housing in the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Elderly Accommodation Counsels' Housing Options database of extra care (assisted living) housing for older people. Lists housing schemes for older people to rent and buy in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales:

Extra care (Assisted living) housing schemes for older people in England

Extra care (Assisted living) housing schemes for older people in Scotland

Extra care (Assisted living) housing schemes for older people in Wales

Extra care (Assisted living) housing schemes for older people in Northern Ireland


What is extra care housing?

New forms of sheltered housing and retirement housing have been pioneered in recent years, to cater for older people who are becoming more frail and less able to do everything for themselves.

Extra Care Housing is housing designed with the needs of frailer older people in mind and with varying levels of care and support available on site. People who live in Extra Care Housing have their own self contained homes, their own front doors and a legal right to occupy the property. Extra Care Housing is also known as very sheltered housingassisted living, or simply as 'housing with care'.  It comes in many built forms, including blocks of flats, bungalow estates and retirement villages. It is a popular choice among older people because it can sometimes provide an alternative to a care home.

In addition to the communal facilities often found in sheltered housing (residents' longe, guest suite, laundry), Extra Care schemes often include a restaurant or dining room, health & fitness facilites, hobby rooms and even computer rooms. Domestic support and personal care are available, usually provided by on-site staff. Properties can be rented, owned or part owned/part rented. There is a limited (though increasing) amount of Extra Care Housing in most areas and most providers set eligibility criteria which prospective residents have to meet.

Use the quick Extra Care Search on our homepage to find your nearest schemes.  Or use our Search for retirement housing to find schemes to match your requirements anywhere in the UK.  Search by postcode, place name or county/council area, and select 'Housing with care' from the Services dropdown list.

What is assisted living housing?

A name used by some private sector providers as an alternative to very sheltered housing; also for a US model of hotel-style care facility for older people who can no longer live on their own at home but don’t need 24-hour complex medical supervision.

Use our Search for retirement housing to find assisted living schemes in your locality.  Search by postcode, place name or county/council area, and select 'Housing with care' from the Services dropdown list.

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