This research explores the experience of twenty people aged between 50-70 living in homes that do not meet their needs. Despite being recruited to the study on the basis that their home did not meet their needs, participants broadly felt positively about where they lived. The research found that issues within the home were not always recognised due to strong feelings of attachment to their current property; a reluctance to think about possible negative future scenarios in their homes; and limited awareness of the impact of issues. On further exploration, participants described significant problems and hazards in their homes, with many identified as issues that would likely get worse as they aged. The impacts of living with these problems were wide-ranging and significant: affecting personal finances, social connections, mental and physical health. issues were grouped into three overarching themes: difficulties staying warm and dry at home; problems when moving around a home; concerns around the safety and security of a home and the local area. The report makes three key recommendations for supporting people to live in a home that meets their needs: solutions to poor quality homes need to be tailored by tenure type; there is a need for greater financial support options, particularly for homeowners; interventions should take account of the role of individual attitudes and identity in making repairs or renovations to a home.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This research explores the experience of twenty people aged between 50-70 living in homes that do not meet their needs. Despite being recruited to the study on the basis that their home did not meet their needs, participants broadly felt positively about where they lived. The research found that issues within the home were not always recognised due to strong feelings of attachment to their current property; a reluctance to think about possible negative future scenarios in their homes; and limited awareness of the impact of issues. On further exploration, participants described significant problems and hazards in their homes, with many identified as issues that would likely get worse as they aged. The impacts of living with these problems were wide-ranging and significant: affecting personal finances, social connections, mental and physical health. issues were grouped into three overarching themes: difficulties staying warm and dry at home; problems when moving around a home; concerns around the safety and security of a home and the local area. The report makes three key recommendations for supporting people to live in a home that meets their needs: solutions to poor quality homes need to be tailored by tenure type; there is a need for greater financial support options, particularly for homeowners; interventions should take account of the role of individual attitudes and identity in making repairs or renovations to a home.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, home adaptations, home improvements, housing conditions, independent living, falls, user views;
... they faced. Many people in their 50s and 60s are living in poor-quality homes that are detrimental to their health and mental wellbeing. Common problems include excessive damp, an inability to heat homes properly and poor design and disrepair, which leaves people at greater risk of falls and other injuries as they grow older. Emotional attachment often prevents people from being realistic about the problems
(Edited publisher abstract)
Findings of a research study to explore the problems older people experience in their homes and the impact of these problems on their physical and mental health; and the barriers that prevent them from carrying out repairs and adaptations. Twenty participants aged 50 to 70 took part in two interviews and contributed a two-week online diary in which they explored their homes and the problems they faced. Many people in their 50s and 60s are living in poor-quality homes that are detrimental to their health and mental wellbeing. Common problems include excessive damp, an inability to heat homes properly and poor design and disrepair, which leaves people at greater risk of falls and other injuries as they grow older. Emotional attachment often prevents people from being realistic about the problems that exist in their homes and the negative impact on their quality of life, now and in the future. The study finds that people in this age group can be reluctant to think ahead and often don’t feel ‘old enough’ to undertake home improvements now, which would aid them to live healthily and independently for longer. Where people do recognise a need for repairs or changes to their homes, they can face a range of barriers, chiefly a lack of finances and financing options. In addition, they often don’t know where to find support and information about making home improvements or trustworthy tradespeople to carry out the works. This can lead to people putting off necessary improvements and choosing short-term unsustainable fixes over long-term changes. Tenure affects people’s options around making home improvements. Renters can feel unable to carry out necessary repairs due to their relationship with and reliance on landlords.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, housing conditions, home improvements, falls, independent living, home adaptations, user views;
... and quality of life. Falls risk was reduced for 37 percent of the older people using the handyperson service and 90 percent of older people experienced improved wellbeing. Other outcomes include reduced risk of hospital admission, faster, safer hospital discharge to home, improved safety and security, reduced worry and stress associated with maintaining the home. A cost benefit analysis estimated that for every £1 spent on the handyperson service the saving to health and care from falls reduction alone is £4.28.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Case study which outlines the impacts and cost benefits to the NHS and social care of the Preston Care and Repair handyperson service, which carries out small repairs and minor adaptations in the homes of older and disabled people. The results of an independent evaluation found that the service had a significant impact on older people’s mental and physical health, wellbeing, independence and quality of life. Falls risk was reduced for 37 percent of the older people using the handyperson service and 90 percent of older people experienced improved wellbeing. Other outcomes include reduced risk of hospital admission, faster, safer hospital discharge to home, improved safety and security, reduced worry and stress associated with maintaining the home. A cost benefit analysis estimated that for every £1 spent on the handyperson service the saving to health and care from falls reduction alone is £4.28.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
home improvements, cost effectiveness, older people, evaluation, case studies, outcomes, falls, prevention, quality of life, independence;
Journal of Integrated Care, 18(2), April 2010, pp.33-40.
Publisher:
Emerald
... in their own home. The scheme also installed safety features into homes aimed at preventing falls, a responsibility that social services failed to provide within reasonable timescales. The authors conclude that the more informed policy makers are about practical solutions the better the situation and choices for older people.
This article, drawing on the evaluation of a handyperson service which augments health and social services to enable older frail people to remain living at home, considers current trends and policy, and asks why practical help is under-valued by professionals caring for older people. While policy has promoted needs led services, research has found that services are risk-led and responsive to crisis rather than need. The Birmingham Handyperson Service, established as a response to unmet needs, and eventually receiving health and social service funding, provides free home maintenance by the organisation, with service users being required to meet the cost of materials. The authors surveyed 75 older people receiving the service. Findings highlighted the: cost effectiveness, especially to the NHS (where the cost of a single hip fracture offsets the schemes annual running cost); fears of older people in letting in strangers; changes to family models; complexity of need; recognition of dependency; health and gender inequality; and training and responsibility of the handy-people. Nearly 83% of the respondents thought that the Handyperson scheme was an important reason they were still living in their own home. The scheme also installed safety features into homes aimed at preventing falls, a responsibility that social services failed to provide within reasonable timescales. The authors conclude that the more informed policy makers are about practical solutions the better the situation and choices for older people.
Subject terms:
home help, home improvements, independence, NHS, older people, prevention, unmet need, very old people, cost effectiveness, falls;
... with analysis of outputs, outcomes and examines the cost benefits in relation to falls prevention. The evaluation involved data analysis of jobs completed, a survey of users of the service and interviews with staff and service users. It reports that during the 9 month evaluation period 1,399 jobs were carried out in the homes of 697 older people, which exceeded outcome targets. Of people using the service, 46 percent were over 80 years and 72 percent were older people living alone. Older people also valued the service. Ninety-six percent of those surveyed said that the Preston Care and Repair handyperson service made them less worried about their home and 100 percent said that they would recommend the service to others. Analysis of the falls prevention impact on a small number of higher risk cases, found
(Edited publisher abstract)
An evaluation of the impacts and cost benefits of handyperson services carrying out small repairs and minor adaptations in the home for older people. It looks at how handyperson service fit into the current policy landscape summarises current evidence on their impact and cost effectiveness. It then provides an in depth evaluation of the of Preston Care and Repair handyperson service, with analysis of outputs, outcomes and examines the cost benefits in relation to falls prevention. The evaluation involved data analysis of jobs completed, a survey of users of the service and interviews with staff and service users. It reports that during the 9 month evaluation period 1,399 jobs were carried out in the homes of 697 older people, which exceeded outcome targets. Of people using the service, 46 percent were over 80 years and 72 percent were older people living alone. Older people also valued the service. Ninety-six percent of those surveyed said that the Preston Care and Repair handyperson service made them less worried about their home and 100 percent said that they would recommend the service to others. Analysis of the falls prevention impact on a small number of higher risk cases, found that for every £1 spent on the handyperson service the saving to health and care was £4.28. Other health and social care related outcomes included a risk reduction for hospital admission risk reduction and faster discharge to home, improved wellbeing, safer independent living, and reduced isolation. The report illustrates the impacts of handyperson services cover health, housing and social care aims and objectives. They also offer a cost effective solution with significant cost benefits and a high rate of return on investment, both financial and social.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, home improvements, evaluation, cost effectiveness, independent living, prevention, housing conditions, housing, outcomes, quality of life, falls, user views, case studies;
... the experience of patients and residents. It involved searches of key websites and databases and interviews with key stakeholders to provide an understanding of effective health and housing initiatives. The review provides a strategic overview of the policy context, followed by sections covering: housing with care; housing advice and information; aids and adaptations; handyperson schemes; falls prevention;
(Edited publisher abstract)
An evidence review, commissioned by Kent Surrey Sussex Academic Health Science Network (KSS AHSN) and undertaken by the Housing LIN, which looks at evidence and initiatives across the UK which bring together health and housing, with a particular focus on older people. The review includes projects which contribute to improving health outcomes, reducing demand and expenditure, and improving the experience of patients and residents. It involved searches of key websites and databases and interviews with key stakeholders to provide an understanding of effective health and housing initiatives. The review provides a strategic overview of the policy context, followed by sections covering: housing with care; housing advice and information; aids and adaptations; handyperson schemes; falls prevention; assistive technology and telecare; discharge services; design of the built environment; warm housing and fuel poverty; and dementia related initiatives. Each section contains a brief introduction, a review of relevant research, and examples of current projects and initiatives. The review concludes that housing and related services can contribute to emerging models of integrated health and social care services. It suggests that closer working between the NHS and the housing sector can help reduce hospital admissions and emergency department visits, speed up the discharge of older patients and maintain the independence of older people.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
housing, home improvements, assistive technology, older people, hospital discharge, building design, dementia, advice services, telecare, supported housing, health, extra care housing, falls, literature reviews;
Savings to health care and social care budgets could be made by investing in housing adaptations, and investment in independent living benefits individuals and wider society, according to research today by the Office for Disability Issues (ODI). The research was commissioned by the ODI as part of its Independent Living Review to identify imaginative and practical solutions to support independent living for disabled people. The report summarises existing evidence relating to savings to health and social care budgets as a result of investment in housing adaptations and housing improvements.
Savings to health care and social care budgets could be made by investing in housing adaptations, and investment in independent living benefits individuals and wider society, according to research today by the Office for Disability Issues (ODI). The research was commissioned by the ODI as part of its Independent Living Review to identify imaginative and practical solutions to support independent living for disabled people. The report summarises existing evidence relating to savings to health and social care budgets as a result of investment in housing adaptations and housing improvements.
Subject terms:
home adaptations, home improvements, independent living, housing, outcomes, social care, social care provision, assistive technology, benefits, building design, cost effectiveness, costs, falls, health care;
Savings to health care and social care budgets could be made by investing in housing adaptations, and investment in independent living benefits individuals and wider society, according to research today by the Office for Disability Issues (ODI). The research was commissioned by the ODI as part of its Independent Living Review to identify imaginative and practical solutions to support independent living for disabled people. The report summarises existing evidence relating to savings to health and social care budgets as a result of investment in housing adaptations and housing improvements.
Savings to health care and social care budgets could be made by investing in housing adaptations, and investment in independent living benefits individuals and wider society, according to research today by the Office for Disability Issues (ODI). The research was commissioned by the ODI as part of its Independent Living Review to identify imaginative and practical solutions to support independent living for disabled people. The report summarises existing evidence relating to savings to health and social care budgets as a result of investment in housing adaptations and housing improvements.
Subject terms:
home adaptations, home improvements, independent living, housing, outcomes, social care, social care provision, assistive technology, benefits, building design, cost effectiveness, costs, falls, health care;
Reports on some of the ways in which Primary Health Care Trusts and Home Improvement Agencies are working together to improve people's health through housing related benefits. A spectrum of joint projects is profiled, including schemes providing information and training for health and care sector staff, and a range of approaches to home safety and falls prevention.
Reports on some of the ways in which Primary Health Care Trusts and Home Improvement Agencies are working together to improve people's health through housing related benefits. A spectrum of joint projects is profiled, including schemes providing information and training for health and care sector staff, and a range of approaches to home safety and falls prevention.
Subject terms:
home improvements, home ownership, home safety, housing, housing associations, joint working, joint planning, mobility impairment, older people, primary care trusts, social care provision, falls, health needs;