WHO Collaborating Centre for Housing Standards and Health

Institute of Health, University of Warwick

Older Persons’ Housing Study Devon

Taunton29 March 2011

The others involved

Peter Ambrose

John Bryson

Steve Battersby

Objectives

• Collect evidence on housing options for older people

• Identify any barriers to independent living

• Look for opportunities for an holistic approach

Focus Older persons, who ~

(a)are near the point when they realise

they can’t manage in their home

without support or home adaptations

(b)have recently been provided with

support or home adaptation

(c) have recently moved into care

Approach

1. Brief literature review

2. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews of those in identified groups

3. A limited number of telephone interviews

Progress

Those managing in their own homes ~

• 31 face-to-face interviews

completed

• 6 telephone interviews so far

Progress

Those in care homes ~

• Still to be arranged

Some preliminary impressions

those still managing at home• Very independent

some fiercely so

• Expecting to stay sounless sudden health deterioration; or in a ‘box’

• Support from familyrather than neighbours, friends, or voluntary

organisations

Some preliminary impressions

those still managing at home• Praise for Devon Care & Repair

although some comments about the wait!

• Adaptations mainly stair-lifts and walk-in

showers

Some preliminary impressions

those still managing at home• One (IT literate) needed a hoist to get

his buggy into his car ~ was quoted

£1,200, but found the same for £500

online!

Some preliminary impressions

those still managing at home• Some didn’t know what other support

was was available ~ grants, benefits…

Early thoughts ~ Positive

Interviewees staying independent with support

from

• Devon Care & Repair

• Adaptations

• Family

Early thoughts ~ Questions

• Could IT literacy help?Not just with getting the best

deal, but keeping in touch with

family and friends

• What about advice on

benefits and grants?Are people getting everything

they qualify for?

Early thoughts ~ Questions

• Where do those needing

help find out what’s

available?

• When they get help/advice

is it comprehensive?

Some suggestions made to us ~• systems to facilitate informal neighbourhood help

(eg, gardening and decorating)

• more systematic access to expert money/benefit

advice and SIMPLER FORMS

• neighbourhood self-help schemes about IT literacy -

for better social interaction and cheaper purchasing

• the availability frequency of NHS chiropody services

(6 weeks is max between toenail-cutting sessions!)

Some suggestions made to us ~• more flexibility from Meals on Wheels

• more accessible and cheaper veterinary services

• simpler and more consistent labelling for

medication (PRINT SIZE)

• more systematic leafleting advice from the

Police about blokes who offer to do the path

• personal lifeline alarms for all at any kind of risk

A few comments (for now)From us ~

Thanks to those who agreed to be interviewed

From them ~'Very nice interview - thank you!!’

'Thanks for taking the time to listen to us'.

'Glad to take part - it's about time someone started listening to the elderly'

There is more to come…

… once we have completed the interviews and

had a chance to give some thought to what

we have learnt

A last thought for today…

hardware ~ adaptations, support (pedicures, meals on wheels etc…)

important for oldies to remain and feel ‘independent’

BUT ~

software ~ self-help, community relations, acquiring skills, getting good advice…equally important and not just for inclusion, self-worth