New Village takes retirement living to new heights
Innovative thinking about a new breed of retirement living options has never been more vital. A report last month from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Housing and Care for Older People raised awareness of “later homes”, not just starter homes for younger people.
Amid the debate over future housing options for older people, an ExtraCare scheme opening to its residents on July 4th in Coventry suggests one creative vision of the future.
I am delighted to say that, as a high-rise, extra care development close to Coventry city centre, the £44m Earlsdon Park Village challenges assumptions that older people’s housing must be low-rise and far from busy, urban centres.
The state of the art, 10-storey development seamlessly integrates housing with care and social activities and lifestyle issues. Homes are linked to a village centre with a range of holistic well-being and fitness services.
In addition, the accessible facilities, including a bar and bistro, library, hair and beauty salon, games room and greenhouse, are open not only to residents, but to their families, local older people, and volunteers.
The community of 262 one and two-bedroom apartments for sale, shared ownership and rent has been created by a partnership between ExtraCare, Coventry City Council and the Homes and Communities Agency. The retirement village is our first such development in Coventry and we are proud to reach this significant milestone, having been established in the city in 1988.
A key part of the new Village – and indeed of our vision of independent living – is our approach to ensuring integrated care and lifestyle provision for the 350 residents. These include specialist fitness equipment and a suite specifically to support people with dementia.
We will provide care for up to a third of residents within their own homes. There is also a well-being service providing advice on healthy living, supporting early diagnosis and GP referral linked to common conditions such as diabetes or abnormal blood pressure.
Our trailblazing work on health and housing was recently recognised when we won the Outstanding Approach to Innovation award at the 2016 UK Housing Awards. The award was granted for our innovative well-being and dementia services, the creation of cost savings and the delivery of better outcomes for people.
In addition, recent independent research by Aston University that shows care costs are slashed by more than a third at our villages while residents’ health benefits soar.
As well as positive impacts for residents, there are wider housing and economic benefits for the surrounding area. Firstly, the development helps people downsize, thereby freeing up family-sized homes. For example, Rebecca, an 82-year-old widow, is moving from the four-bedroomed house where she has lived for the last 47 years. As she says: “It’s a big house and there’s only me rattling around. It needs a family in it.”
In addition, the construction work that started two years ago has created more than 200 jobs. Around 35 village staff have been recruited locally to provide care, hospitality, housekeeping and activity services.
With such wide-ranging benefits for both people and places, we are confident that our efforts to innovate and improve the retirement housing offer will continue to lead the way and ensure even more people are able to live active, independent lives into older age.
Mark Curran is Development and Sales Director at The ExtraCare Charitable Trust
Join the conversation on Twitter – @ExtraCareOrgUk
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