1 Housing in Retirement

2 Where do most people want to live during retirement? Most want to continue to live in ordinary housing, often in current home. Most want to continue to live in ordinary housing, often in current home. Making sure that the home is warm, comfortable and adapted can help to make this possible. Making sure that the home is warm, comfortable and adapted can help to make this possible.

3 Where do most people live during retirement? Can you fill in the figures???? x% of people over retirement age live in ordinary housing (x% in sheltered, x% in residential care or other home) x% of homes are now owner occupied (all ages) – even higher amongst younger retired

4 Where do most people live during retirement? Answers 90% of people over retirement age live in ordinary housing (5% in sheltered, 5% in residential care or other home) 71% of homes are now owner occupied (all ages) – even higher amongst younger retired Now have a go at the group exercise…………

5 Staying Put If you own your home it helps to keep on top of small repairs. There may be a local odd job service that can help. If you own your home it helps to keep on top of small repairs. There may be a local odd job service that can help. For both tenants and owners, social services can help with small adaptations. For both tenants and owners, social services can help with small adaptations.

6 Prevention better than cure Planning ahead - adaptations Planning ahead - adaptations The most common adaptations that older people need are bathroom adaptations and help to get upstairs. Is it possible to: Put in a downstairs WC – or even a level shower if you have the space? Put in a downstairs WC – or even a level shower if you have the space? Put in a second handrail to make stairs easier? Put in a second handrail to make stairs easier? Find out now if there is a Disabled Living Centre nearby where you can get advice Find out now if there is a Disabled Living Centre nearby where you can get advice

7 Prevention better than cure Planning ahead – maintenance check Planning ahead – maintenance check Dealing with small repairs promptly helps to avoid more costly damage. Keep an eye on: Walls – cracks, pointing, airbricks, Walls – cracks, pointing, airbricks, Roof – missing/ cracked slates or tiles Roof – missing/ cracked slates or tiles Guttering – needs clearing out regularly Guttering – needs clearing out regularly Doors and windows – check sealant, rotting wood, putty/ rubber seals Doors and windows – check sealant, rotting wood, putty/ rubber seals Pipes – deal with small drips and leaks Pipes – deal with small drips and leaks

8 Staying in control Worry about cowboy builders can put people off doing repairs and adaptations. Worry about cowboy builders can put people off doing repairs and adaptations. A local home improvement agency may help. A local home improvement agency may help. You can look at the self help guide In Good Repair to point you in the right direction. You can look at the self help guide In Good Repair to point you in the right direction.

9 Who can help with adaptations? Money – a grant from the council may be available to help with larger adaptations or a loan may be offered. Some small items may be free of charge. Money – a grant from the council may be available to help with larger adaptations or a loan may be offered. Some small items may be free of charge. Technical Advice – help with deciding what work needs to be done, finding a builder and supervising the work may be provided by a occupational therapist. Or in some areas, a Home Improvement Agency (HIA) can help. Technical Advice – help with deciding what work needs to be done, finding a builder and supervising the work may be provided by a occupational therapist. Or in some areas, a Home Improvement Agency (HIA) can help. CONTACT: Social Services, HIA or advice agency

10 Who can help with repairs Money – a grant or loan from the council may be available. Free or low cost handyperson scheme may be available for small odd jobs. Money – a grant or loan from the council may be available. Free or low cost handyperson scheme may be available for small odd jobs. Technical Advice – help with deciding what work needs to be done, finding a builder and supervising the work may be provided by a a Home Improvement Agency (HIA) or in some cases, by the local council Grant Dept. Technical Advice – help with deciding what work needs to be done, finding a builder and supervising the work may be provided by a a Home Improvement Agency (HIA) or in some cases, by the local council Grant Dept. CONTACT: HIA, local council or advice agency

11 Avoiding rogue builders If in doubt, keep them out – never agree to work being done by builders who knock on your door saying your home needs repairs If in doubt, keep them out – never agree to work being done by builders who knock on your door saying your home needs repairs Never pay cash: and only pay after the job is properly finished Never pay cash: and only pay after the job is properly finished

12 Moving Home Impetus for moving – main triggers OUTSIDE Family Professionals Landlord PERSONAL Health decline Bereavement Isolation Disability MONEY -Upkeep of home PLANNING AHEAD

13 Planning a move Factors to think about Factors to think about Location Location Social opportunities Social opportunities Size Size Design Design Adaptability Adaptability Security Facilities Pets Garden/ outside space Cost

14 Moving Home: Main Options Private Sector - options are largely equity dependent Private Sector - options are largely equity dependent General stock (flat, bungalow, smaller house) General stock (flat, bungalow, smaller house) Purpose Built Purpose Built Special Needs Special Needs Shared Ownership Shared Ownership Move to Rented Move to Rented Family Family Move abroad Move abroad Social Rented – constrained by LA/ housing association. policies Social Rented – constrained by LA/ housing association. policies Transfer to smaller/ adapted property Exchange Purpose Built Previously adapted Special Needs Family

15 Special retirement housing Sheltered Housing Sheltered Housing Extra Care Housing Extra Care Housing Retirement Community Retirement Community Community ( eg. Abbeyfield) Community ( eg. Abbeyfield) Extra Care Housing Extra Care Housing Alternative Alternative Homeshare Co-housing/ co-op model DIY shared

16 Information and Advice: Moving on The charity Elderly Accommodation Counsel offers information and advice about housing and care options for older people –Free Help Line or via website The charity Elderly Accommodation Counsel offers information and advice about housing and care options for older people –Free Help Line or via website They also produce a brochure, How well does your home suit you with a questionnaire to help you think through the pros and cons of moving home. They also produce a brochure, How well does your home suit you with a questionnaire to help you think through the pros and cons of moving home.

17 Information and Advice: Staying Put In Good Repair : A free self help guide to repairs and adaptations from Care & Repair England Tel: In Good Repair : A free self help guide to repairs and adaptations from Care & Repair England Tel: For details of local Home Improvement Agency For details of local Home Improvement Agency Contact Foundations:

18 Presentation produced by Care & Repair England, a national charity which aims to improving the living conditions of older and disabled people Tel: