January 2004 - Private Sheltered Housing And Independent Living
Private sheltered housing promotes independent living and helps older people engage with the local community, found one of the largest ever surveys on sheltered housing, conducted by ORB.
A BETTER LIFE: PRIVATE SHELTERED HOUSING AND INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR OLDER PEOPLE
ORB conducted a survey of 1000 residents and 512 prospective residents of private sheltered housing which found that it helps older people engage with their local community in addition to promoting independent living.
The research also revealed that there is a shortage of private sheltered housing in the UK, with 39% of prospective residents having to look further afield to find suitable accommodation as there was not enough in their area.
Private sheltered housing is seen as a home for life with 66% of prospective residents strongly believing that moving into private sheltered housing will enable them to avoid moving into assisted living accommodation and a significant majority (86%) of current residents believing that their home is a home for life.
The research results also indicate that local economies benefit significantly from private sheltered housing schemes with one in three current residents walking to their local shops each day and 62% of private sheltered housing residents preferring to shop in local centres rather than major town centres.
Evidence also exists to suggest that private sheltered housing schemes alleviate pressures on the NHS with only 21% of current residents having received inpatient medical care in the last 12 months. Amongst this group, the average number of nights of inpatient care is 7.4, under half the average for the national population aged 75+. This saves the NHS £2,598 per resident receiving inpatient care per year.
It is clear from this research that private sheltered housing transforms the quality of life of its residents, with the survey revealing that 64% of current residents feel their sense of wellbeing has improved since they moved into private sheltered housing and 88% of current residents saying that private sheltered housing helps to improve their personal security.
For further information please contact Johnny Heald on 0207 611 5275 or email jheald@opinion.co.uk
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Click the link below to read the full report:
McCarthyStone.pdf
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