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