1. 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)

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

3. 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

4. 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

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

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

7. HOOP tool 1998

8. HOOP tool research 1998

9. HOOP tool research 1998

10. HOOP tool research 1998

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Access via one phone number and email
4. FirstStop: Where have we reached?
Access via one phone number and
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

18. Customer volumes 2013-14: 4,092,319 Unique website users
4. FirstStop: Where have we reached?
Customer volumes :
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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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?