Never too old for choice
How we house and care for the older members of our society is an age-old question. The Elizabethans' Poor Law was the first step in the right direction; the Victorians preferred the workhouse. In the 21st century one would hope that 'choice' was the focus of our efforts.
Today the Department of Health leads in investment into extra care housing for frail, older people and specialist models are beginning to emerge for people with dementia. But old age does not always mean debilitating ill health, which is why sheltered housing has been so successful to date, offering a low level supportive and preventative environment bringing social and health gains to its 700,000 plus tenants.
The agenda for current sheltered housing appears to be transforming it into places for high dependency tenants only. These are vulnerable people who need help, of course, but why should the breadth of people to benefit from sheltered housing be narrowed so drastically?
Where is the long term strategy of choice for older people's housing?
ERoSH, a national consortium of 250 sheltered housing providers, is currently consulting its membership on the threat of de-commissioning services as it is clear that many Supporting People teams are questioning sheltered housing'svalue and short-sightedly proposing to end the link between tenancy and support. We fear that this agenda appears to be driven by the need to save money rather than legitimate needs mapping.
Why short-sighted? Because not so far in the future - in 2020 - more than half of the population will be over 50 with a much higher percentage in the 75-89 range (the age that most people choose to move to sheltered housing).
The forecast is that while the majority of those currently 65 or over are homeowners, those in public and privately rented accommodation will be ageing in place (often in unsuitable places). This raises another housing policy mis-match as older people often live in larger properties (either rented or owned) which could be freed up for younger people and families.
Instead of accepting a myopic approach to future housing and care for older people, ERoSH is working with other organisations to set an agenda for housing and care in 2020. The 20/20 Project is canvassing the views of housing and care professionals and older people, to take forward to central and local government. It is opportune timing as it runs parallel to the Adult Social Care Green paper consultation, which is surprisingly light on the housing front.
We do not say that sheltered housing is ideal for all older people, and we realise it needs to change to match the demands of tomorrow'sold. Many older people want to stay in their own homes but we often forget that a significant majority do not. We need to prepare now - or at least get our approach right - so that we can still offer future older people a choice.
Michele Hollywood is project manager of The 20/20 Project and chair of ERoSH's marketing group.
This article was originally published in Inside Housing on June 3 2005. Visit http://www.insidehousing.co.uk
