What is Extra Care Housing ?

The term ' Extra Care' is widely used, but  this type of housing is also sometimes referred to as ‘very sheltered’ housing or ‘assisted living’.

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There are three basic types of specialist housing for older people that offer residents the opportunity to have their own independent accommodation within a larger development. These are:

·       age-exclusive or age-restricted housing - where residents must be over a certain age to qualify, but little or no support is provided.

·       housing with support - where residents receive support services such as an emergency alarm system, but staff do not provide care

·       housing with care - where staff provide care services such as help with washing, dressing, toileting and taking medication. 

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Extra Care housing fits into the category of housing with care but it is not the same as a residential care home. It refers to specialist, usually purpose-built, developments that consist of independent, self-contained homes but with staff available up to 24 hours a day to provide help with washing, dressing, toileting and taking medication.

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Extra Care schemes offer a variety of communal spaces and facilities, where people can socialise, get a meal and participate in activities. In some cases, these communal facilities and activities can be available to non-residents bringing valuable benefits to the community and bringing the scheme residents closer to the wider community. There is usually an emergency alarm system and domestic help, such as shopping and laundry, may also be available.

 

Residents in Extra Care housing live independently in fully self- contained properties with their own front door. Nursing care, such as having wounds dressed and catheter care, is not generally provided by staff in an Extra Care scheme.  This would usually be provided by a visiting district or community nurse.

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Click  on this link to view the Housing LIN video about Extra Care  Housing

 

 

 

The potential benefits of Extra Care Housing

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There is a growing body of evidence that suggests there are many potential benefits of the Extra Care model.  Although Extra Care schemes do vary, the research and evaluation  done to date has highlighted many positive outcomes including:

 

• Improved quality of life demonstrated by reductions in depression and anxiety and higher levels of self-reported happiness and wellbeing.   

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• Improved physical and mental health measures such as improved nutrition, mobility and cognitive function. Residents designated as ‘pre-frail’ returning to ‘resilient’ state and even increased life expectancy.

 

• Reduction in need for health and social care including fewer GP appointments and emergency call-outs, fewer admissions into care homes and hospital and less formal care.

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• Reduced NHS and social care costs One study estimated that if one couple for every 50 older homeowners moved into a new unit of specialist retirement housing for at least 10 years, this would yield savings in the long-term of between £675 million and £2.6 billion depending on the region, or £14.5 billion across the country.

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• Reduced fuel poverty: residents usually receive lower energy bills than in their previous homes and are more likely to stay warm in colder weather. 

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