Housing with Care
This category of housing for older people provides services in excess of those available in standard retirement housing. Although the range of the services on offer can vary, they generally cover personal care needs and do not extend to the services found in a care home providing nursing care.
Extra Care Housing
Extra Care Housing is housing to rent or to buy, 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 housing, assisted 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 often includes 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 amount of Extra Care Housing in most areas and some providers are likely to set eligibility criteria which prospective residents have to meet.
If you are considering a move to Extra Care Housing you should check what care services are available, whether they meet your needs,how they are paid for, how they are organised and whether you are eligible for financial help. You are advised to seek professional advice before signing any lease or tenancy agreement.
Close care
A ‘Close care’ scheme or development means housing for older people adjacent to a care home which 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, be it sheltered, retirement or extra care, may be a preferred choice for couples with different care needs, or a person with a degenerative health condition.
Very sheltered housing
Synonymous with Extra care housing (see above)
Assisted Living
Synonymous with Extra care housing (see above)
Retirement villages
An increasingly popular concept, covering anything from an estate to a full blown 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 (see above).
Find housing with care
As for sheltered housing, use our Search for retirement housing and follow the easy step by step sequence which allows you to search by postcode, place, county/local area or by landlord/manager. Whichever way you search, select 'extra care' from the Services dropdown list.
Senior Living
A supplement to The Guardian of 18th January 2008 on housing with care, edited by EAC. (This document is over 3MB and will take time to download)
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