@talkolderpeople www.olderpeoplewales.com Catherine Evans O’Brien Health, Housing and Social Care Lead @talkolderpeople www.olderpeoplewales.com

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales Housing at the heart of quality of life A home is much more than bricks and mortar Housing, health and social care Suitability and adaptations Protection and scrutiny team

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales Sarah Rochira Legal powers and duties Independent voice and champion Supports people when they are vulnerable Ensures people have a voice and control over their lives Fights discrimination Pushes for better services

Housing at the heart of quality of life ‘I live in a place that suits me and my life’ Framework for Action, 2013 - 2017

A home is much more than bricks and mortar The quality of the housing that older people occupy, and its ability to adapt with changing needs, becomes increasingly important with an ageing population. Location, condition and choice of housing influence an individual’s well-being and their ability to lead a healthy and independent life. Well designed housing options for older people will: Promote improved health and independence by supporting mobility. Reduce reliance on home care support, reduce the level of admissions into residential care for housing related reasons. Inappropriate housing can lead to social isolation, fuel poverty, falls and in the extreme, avoidable winter deaths.

Housing – a key player? By 2026, older people will account for nearly half of new household growth (ONS/GAD 2008 National Projections). Is housing being sufficiently considered as a key player in the integration and prevention agendas, included in forward plans for health and social care, and in supporting older people to achieve well-being? ‘Housing – Older people have access to housing and services that supports their needs and promote independence.’ Welsh Government, The Strategy for Older People in Wales 2013-2023

Housing, health and social care A change in housing is often triggered by a health and social care crisis – where the choice often lies between ‘getting by’ in or up-rooting to a residential environment. Scrutiny work of the integration of health and social care by the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales has shown that housing is not a regular feature of strategic planning and the importance of its role is not commonly understood. Statutory bodies must engage with older people before crisis point, to understand housing needs, inform needs assessments and long term planning alongside health and social care. Housing cannot and should not be considered separately from our health, social care and community services. Housing is a major public health issue.

Suitability and adaptations Adapting homes reduces risks and increase independence. Scrutiny of the aids & adaptations system has shown that too many older people have to wait too long, and are faced with a complex, opaque and variable system. Negative stereotyping presents older people as ‘blocking’ larger accommodation. This ignores the lack of housing choice, and psychological and social reasons for not moving. There is a lack of suitable, affordable housing options for older people. The majority of older people live in general needs housing, and only 7 per cent live in specialist housing where a lease or tenancy restricts occupation based on age. (Pannell, J et al (2012) Older people's housing: choice, quality of life, and under-occupation. JRF: York) We need an informed national picture on the housing stock we have, how that meets what older people want and need now, and how this will adapt for the future.

Protection & Scrutiny Team – Housing Housing is one of the issues that older people regularly raise with the Protection and Scrutiny Team at the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales. 2014-2015 Subject Number of enquiries received As percentage Housing 34 6.5% Adaptation 9 1.7% Sheltered Housing Maintenance/ Repairs 8 1.5% Anti Social Behaviour/ Harassment 4 0.8% Noise 1 0.2%

Protection & Scrutiny Team – Housing Most issues focus on consultation about changes to the building or services provided by Housing Associations, especially while changes are made under Welsh Housing Quality Standards, and changes to Supporting People funding and provision. Common examples of poor practice; Presenting a decision rather than a proposal. Not listening to or considering alternative proposals. Dismissing older people’s comments as without merit. Poor or no recognition of the individual. Poor or no impact assessment carried out. Poor or no action planning. Poor consultation could result in increased complaints from tenants, increased challenges for Registered Social Landlords and potentially increased scrutiny from bodies such as the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales.

Housing at the heart of quality of life Housing sits at the heart of quality of life, and should be treated as a key player in the strategic planning of public services, in particular health and social care. A lack of suitable, affordable housing is a barrier to real choice. We need an informed national picture of the housing stock, and how it meets the needs of older people – both now and into the future. Statutory bodies must engage with older people to understand their housing needs on an individual basis, but also to inform needs assessments and future planning. Listening to the views of older people when changing housing services is key.

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales Cambrian Buildings Mount Stuart Square Butetown Cardiff CF10 5FL 08442 640670 or 02920 445030 @talkolderpeople www.olderpeoplewales.com