Housing Information and Advice Information & Advice for Older People West Midlands Housing LIN / West Midlands Later Life Forum Joint Conference 24/11/2014 Housing Information and Advice John Galvin Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) 020 7820 7867 john.galvin@eac.org.uk

1. Elderly Accommodation Counsel MISSION “To help older people make informed choices about meeting their housing and care needs.”

ENVIRONMENT 2. I&A – the challenges Market environment in care & support, as well as housing Public policy objectives Scale of need Marketisation of I&A Keeping up with change

OLDER PEOPLE AND FAMILIES 2. I&A – the challenges OLDER PEOPLE AND FAMILIES Ageing cum recession tsunami – how many are prepared? Dispersed families Withdrawal of state / local authority provision Trauma of choice in an unfamiliar and evolving marketplace

PLUS THE PERENIAL UNDERLYING CHALLENGE 2. I&A – the challenges PLUS THE PERENIAL UNDERLYING CHALLENGE Decision making in/for later life is difficult

PLUS THE PERENIAL UNDERLYING CHALLENGE 2. I&A – the challenges PLUS THE PERENIAL UNDERLYING CHALLENGE Decision making in/for later life is difficult

HOOP tool 1998

HOOP tool research 1998

HOOP tool research 1998

HOOP tool research 1998

Why people want to stay put retain independence attachment to the home sense of achievement memories fear of unknown liking space cost of moving retaining status sense of security ownership tailored to suit attachment to furniture 'home' for the family lack of energy to move 11

Why people think about moving housework difficult maintenance problems garden problematic inadequate heating disrepair, damp too far from family problems with stairs loneliness can no longer drive neighbour nuisance high costs inaccessible bath crime or fear of crime anxiety about accident or illness not wanting to become a burden 12

3. The FirstStop I&A proposition a) Define the offer Integrated, independent & impartial I/A/G spanning housing, care/support and related finance Standardise quality assurance

b) Utilise what exists more effectively 3. The FirstStop I&A proposition b) Utilise what exists more effectively Co-operate, share, streamline sector Integrate web, telephone & face-to-face channels, plus peer support Promote a trusted brand Keep abreast through Housing LIN

c) Increase capacity Evidence outcomes for all stakeholders 3. The FirstStop I&A proposition c) Increase capacity Evidence outcomes for all stakeholders Market to public, voluntary, institutional & commercial sectors Attract new delivery partners

In depth Care and Support Housing and Accommodation Money and Benefits What are my care choices? How does the community care system work? The care assessment Assistance with health problems How do Direct Payments work Being in hospital Leaving Hospital Help at home Mobility Help in a care home Help in a retirement home As a carer what do I need to know about memory loss / depression / dementia? What are my housing options; what are the pros and cons? What support can help me stay at home? How to get your home adapted What are Home Improvement Agencies? How to maintain your home Moving to retirement housing. Buying, renting and other options Moving to a care home What should I consider? About living in a care home Paying care home fees Top-Ups Care home inspection reports Money and Benefits Rights Your money when in hospital About equity release What benefits can I claim? Local Authority funding NHS Continuing Care The financial assessment Direct payments Self-funding your care Interim finance Lasting power of attorney Allowances, credits and grants Financial solutions Financial support for carers Purchasing and leasing retirement property I think I need a care package; what rights do I have? I am not happy with the service I get at home. How can I have this reviewed? Informal complaints Formal complaints I am afraid to complain about my care home. Independent advocacy Challenging LA or NHS decisions I think the benefits agency has got it wrong. Can you help me? Legal Action

Access via one phone number and email 4. FirstStop: Where have we reached? Access via one phone number and email 25 local and 5 main national partners Access also via any partner organisation Client referrals between partners Support to website users Integration with C&RE Silverlinks Good independent evaluation

Customer volumes 2013-14: 4,092,319 Unique website users 4. FirstStop: Where have we reached? Customer volumes 2013-14: 4,092,319 Unique website users 20,355 National advice line clients 5,866 Local partner clients 10,604 Older people reached via public events

Funders DCLG (ongoing) Comic Relief (to October 2014) 4. FirstStop: Where have we reached? Funders DCLG (ongoing) Comic Relief (to October 2014) Nationwide BS (ongoing) EAC Big Lottery (C&RE Silverlinks & FS pilot) A majority of funding raised to date has been for local FirstStop partner services

Case examples Mrs B, Local case, Avoiding risk of hospital admission 4. FirstStop: Where have we reached? Case examples Mrs B, Local case, Avoiding risk of hospital admission Mrs P, National/local case, Joint effort to explore housing options Mr S, National case, Inextricably linked: Health, housing and families

Market to LA and CGC commissioners 5. FirstStop: Next steps? Market to LA and CGC commissioners Work with housing & service providers to increase capacity Update vision and BP Work with DCLG on BP and funding Work with range of funders Harden evidence of impact/outcomes A service to help meet Care Act duties

Role for FirstStop re. housing provider clients & residents? 6. Questions for discussion Role for FirstStop re. housing provider clients & residents? Role of housing and service providers in helping deliver FirstStop? Role of housing and service providers in funding FirstStop?