The year-long research, which comes from The International
Longevity Centre (ILC-UK) and uses data from three extra-care
providers, says residents are around 50% less likely to enter
institutional accommodation when compared with older people living
in the community who are in receipt of domiciliary care.
ILC-UK conclude that extra-care housing could play a major part
in delivering better health outcomes whilst reducing the long term
care costs facing older people.
Commenting on the report, Nick Abbey, Chief Executive of The
ExtraCare Charitable Trust, says:
"These findings clearly demonstrate how older people's health
improves when services are flexible and focused around both their
aspirations and needs.
"For over 20 years, ExtraCare has sought to provide homes which
are centred around safe, sociable facilities with strong community
links. We consider preventative healthcare a priority and link this
to our residents' wish to maintain their mobility and independence.
We also seek innovative partnerships, securing funding to provide
affordable mixed-tenure homes which are available to those
residents with very limited means.
"The research indicates that our holistic approach reduces NHS
costs, dependency on institutional care and, most importantly,
provides a better quality of life for older people and their
families.
"We believe policy makers should further endorse this
cost-effective housing model and increase provision within the
sector."
Baroness Sally Greengross, Chief Executive of
ILC-UK, says: "In publishing his recent report on paying for care,
Andrew Dilnot recognised the importance of extra-care housing. This
new research provides further evidence that early investment in
good quality housing could improve health and care outcomes and
reduce costs. It is a win-win situation. We urge the Government to
make specific pledges to support the development of the extra care
housing as part of developing a range of housing options available
to older people."
Download the Executive Summary or full
report here.
Picture: Nick Abbey, Chief
Executive of The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, says: "We consider
preventative healthcare a priority and link this to our residents'
wish to maintain their mobility and independence."
- Extra-care housing represents an integrated model of housing
and flexible social care support that potentially holds fiscal and
wider benefits for older people and the state.
- Over the last year, ILC-UK has been undertaking a major piece
of research into the benefits of extra-care housing by examining
resident outcomes.
- Using longitudinal data from three providers, Audley
Retirement, The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, and Retirement Security
Limited, with additional funding provided from Housing Learning and
Improvement Network, the ILC-UK has undertaken a major review which
explores the characteristics of residents, the notion of extra-care
housing as a home for life, the health outcomes of residents, and
patterns of health service usage of residents.
- The ILC-UK has also explored the costs and benefits associated
with our findings. This new research also explores how the outcomes
of residents in extra-care could differ from the outcomes of older
people living in the community in receipt of domiciliary care.
- The International Longevity Centre-UK is the leading think-tank
on longevity and demographic change. It is an independent,
non-partisan think-tank dedicated to addressing issues of
longevity, ageing and population change. We develop ideas,
undertake research and create a forum for debate. www.ilcuk.org.uk
- The ExtraCare Charitable Trust enables over 3,500 older people
to enjoy a healthier, active and more independent lifestyle in a
network of inspirational communities. The Charity operates 11
retirement villages and 18 smaller housing developments across the
Midlands and the Northwest. A £200m programme to develop five
villages in Birmingham is underway, for completion by 2016. www.extracare.org.uk
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