Homes for old age need a radical rethink

Housing in the future needs to give older people more independence, better choice and the ability to maintain friendships and community networks, says CABE. This means making radical changes to the way in which housing which is designed for care delivery is commissioned.

CABE has launched a new report, Homes for our old age, with the Housing Learning and Improvement Network (Housing LIN). Over 80s form the fasting growing age group, yet little of the existing housing stock is fit for purpose.

People who receive care now expect to have more control over services. Homes for our old age: independent living by design features ten case studies of housing schemes in the report to show how the range and design of housing can support this new freedom.

Richard Simmons, CABE chief executive, said:

‘People who receive care where they live don’t want their house to stop feeling like a home. As we age, the design of our home plays an increasing part in how busy and interesting our life is. We think that the people who are responsible for commissioning such housing schemes – the local authorities, health trusts and RSLs - really do need to up their game quickly. Otherwise they will be condemning more and more of us to an isolated and lonely old age.’

Each of the housing schemes offers inventive design and management solutions linking home and social care. They address the need for flexibility in design to provide ‘extra care housing’: not all older people require the levels of support provided by a nursing home after a change in their health makes their existing house or flat unsuitable. Improved lift technology has made upper floors accessible at two of the housing schemes, for instance, enabling disabled residents to enjoy good views, and two of the places featured are built around a courtyard designed to be easy for people with dementia to navigate.

The case studies also show how facilities which are open to the public will give older residents regular contact with people of all ages: Darwin Court in Southwark offers health facilities, an IT suite and a swimming pool, and Callendar Court in Gateshead has a café and a hairdressers.

Jeremy Porteus, National Programme Lead for DH Care Networks, said:

‘This report reminds us that people requiring care and support because of age or disability don’t have to lose their independence. It should serve as an inspiration to all those involved in housing, specialist housing and care provision.’

Notes to editors

• The report includes the following case studies: Colliers Gardens, Bristol; Lingham Court, Stockwell, South London; Darwin Court, Southwark, South London; Barton Mews, Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire; Painswick Retirement Village, near Stroud, Gloucestershire; Croftspar, Springboig Avenue, Glasgow; Foundations for Living, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire; Callendar Court, Gateshead; and Prices Yard, Islington, London.
• Many people want to stay in their home and the final case study shows how an existing home has been adapted to make it accessible.
• Many of the case studies featured in the report are extra care housing developments. Extra care housing is designed so that older people can continue to live in the community and is sometimes referred to as a ‘home for life’. Extra care buildings are accessible and offer a range of facilities and access to on-site 24 hour care services. The building design also encourages social interaction.
• Lovatt Fields retirement village in Milton Keynes is an example of extra care housing and is the setting of the television documentary Silverville, produced by the BBC in partnership with the Open University www.open2.net/silverville/.
• The Housing Learning and Improvement Network (Housing LIN) is the national network for promoting innovation and supporting change in the delivery of housing care and support services for older and vulnerable adults. It is part of the Department of Health’s (DH) Care Networks and works closely with other networks involved in the delivery of services to help people live independent and active lives in their own homes and communities. It comes under the Putting People First programme at the Department of Health. Housing LIN’s key activities include collating and advising on local authority applications to the DH’s Extra Care Housing Fund. www.dhcarenetworks.org.uk/housing
• CABE is the government’s advisor on architecture, urban design and public space. As a public body, we encourage policymakers to create places that work for people. We help local planners apply national design policy and offer expert advice to developers and architects. We show public sector clients how to commission buildings that meet the needs of their users. And we seek to inspire the public to demand more from their buildings and spaces. Advising, influencing and inspiring, we work to create well-designed, welcoming places.