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Development Department : Scottish Executive
Housing Options for Older People Seminar - 27th November 2006
Affordable Housing is a current policy priority however with
the growth of older people the need for accessible accommodation
with appropriate support will become a future crisis - if we fail to
act now.
This was one of the powerful statements Scottish Executive Officers heard at this seminar which brought together relevant policy departments, including health, older people's unit, housing research, Review of Older People's Housing (ROOPH) group members and representatives from the Care Commission.
Purpose of seminar
The seminar was held for several reasons:
1. Inform people about the Review of Older People's Housing currently being undertaken by the Development Department : Housing Support and Regeneration Unit.
2. Hear about work being undertaken in England, at a national policy level and in practice.
3. Through workshops and open discussion - exchange idea's and thoughts on issues relating to the future housing and support options for older people.
Delegates were welcomed to the seminar by the Chair for the day Alisdair McIntosh,
Scottish Executive, Development Department
PRESENTATIONS
Pat Bagot (OBE) - Chair of ROOPH, Scottish Executive, Development Department
Pat asked that policy makers and providers look into the future, not 5 years - but 20 years ahead. Pat spoke about the likely increased demands and expectations of the people as they become older - for quality accommodation, choices and services.
Pat gave an overview of the work of ROOPH to date. This includes commissioning of a literature review which identified that the majority of older people want to remain in their own home but in order for this to happen the following issues need to be considered:
· Homes for varying needs to be expanded
· Need for repairs and maintenance and payment of this
· Need for floating support
· Housing solutions and support to enable people to have and maintain a social life
Pat informed the delegates of sheltered housing research being carried out by York University. This is examining what people think of sheltered housing in order to identify how sheltered housing should be provided to meet current and future residents expectations and needs. The ROOPH group is also looking at the rural aspects to identify if there other issues that need to be considered.
Gary Day - Land and Planning Director McCarthy & Stone Developments ltd
The Private Providers perspective
On behalf of the owner occupiers of sheltered housing Gary challenged the audience who consider sheltered housing to be anything other than the persons own home. He stated that people are making a life style choice about where they wish to live and how they wish to be supported. Gary welcomed the opportunity to put forward the private providers perspective as often the private sector is missing from such debates.
Gary talked about the different types of accommodation and the current purchaser profile. McCarthy and Stone provide, Category ii - sheltered housing which is typically purchased by the 75 year old widower and a new product, Assisted Living, whish amongst other things includes restaurant facilities, which is being purchased by women in their mid 80's.
Gary spoke about the benefits identified by the owner occupiers in a Home Builders Federation Survey Feb 2006
71% said their life had improved
41% said their health had improved
39% said they are more active
83% believe that living in sheltered housing helps maintain independence
In addition, financial benefits were also identified, through prevention of hospital inpatient care, reduced GP attendance and call outs, delays in admission to residential care homes.
Gary estimated that across the private sector for England and Scotland (700,000 residents) this was a saving of £1.85 Billion !
Gary's message however was that in order for private providers to develop housing with support for older people in Scotland, Local Authority planning - the processes, local rules, timescales needs to be reconsidered as these are prohibiting development.
David Shipman & Jenny Warren - Durham County Council
Remodelling Community Alarm and Warden Services
These guest speakers gave an interesting account of why Durham County Council have examined the provision of sheltered housing through Supporting People service reviews, clarified what services they require and how they are putting contracts out for tender. This has received mixed responses from providers in the area, however they are convinced that this approach will result in the provision of quality, cost effective, flexible services which will meet the needs and expectations of service users. They are continuing to take forward the process, and also aim to provide holistic services, including workers who can undertake various health, social and housing related activities to be provided to people irrespective of tenure.
One significant finding showed that the group of people receiving the least amount of SP funded services were the owner occupiers who were over 50 and 'not in good health' or were people living in the private rented sector. This certainly has given the Scottish Executive Officers something else to think about !
WORKSHOPS
Delegates were given the opportunity to join one of 4 workshops:
1. Rural issues - delegates heard about work underway in England. The group looked at the importance of non housing rural issues, fuel poverty, transport and affordable housing as well as the issue, that people are generally making an informed choice to move to rural areas, with all the implications in relation to available services, that goes with that decision. It was also felt that service users do generally acknowledge and appreciate that it is more difficult to provide services in remote areas.
2. Building Standards - delegates were told about the changes in building standard regulations to come into force May 2007, requiring new build properties and extensions to homes to be accessible. The impact of this will be that by 2026 there will be 1/4 million houses in Scotland that will be accessible and suitable for an ageing population.
3. Telecare - delegates heard how this form of technology can make a significant contribution to the support of older people in their own home including sheltered housing. Whilst this is seen as a positive development the importance of face to face contact was also recognised.
4. Support for repairing, improving and adapting homes of owner occupiers - This group discussed owners responsibilities and how older people must take responsibility for maintaining their property, how Local Authorities will implement the Schemes of Assistance and other support such as grants, loans and equity release.
Stephen Clarke & Dr Gemma Penn - Department for Communities and Local Government
Housing Strategy for Older People in England
Stephen set out the demographic changes which are influencing the need for a strategy, including:
· 30% of all UK households are headed by someone aged 60+
· 1/3 older people live in non decent housing and they are twice as likely to be in fuel poverty
· 2.5 million older people live alone spending 70-90% of time at home
· Over 65's will increase by 2 million by 2015 & 40% more people over 75 by 2022
Stephen pointed out that the growth in older population is the biggest demographic challenge of our time, with not only more 'older old' people, but more older people from black and ethnic minority groups, baby boomer generation, with more owner occupiers many of whom are asset rich resource poor. Dr Gemma Penn spoke about Ministers intentions to address inequalities, including the political motivation not to label older people hence the focus on 'ageing societies'. Gemma sought delegates views on the vision and their thoughts on areas requiring action.
Mike Neilson - Development Department - Summing up
Mike thanked all speakers and workshop facilitators for their contributions and took comfort that the day had confirmed much of the Executive's thinking. He identified that the seminar was timely as amongst other things, there is an opportunity to input the private sectors concerns into the Planning Bill. He also stated that follow up work should be cross cutting as issues facing older people are common to other groups of people.
Finally Mike concluded that we should identify the opportunities age offer rather than focus on possible burdens, and more thinking should be given to utilising the contribution and experience of older people when building mixed communities.