LINks - latest Housing LIN bulletin (w/c 23 Feb 2015)

Welcome to LINks, the weekly e-bulletin from the Housing LIN (Learning and Improvement Network) where we put a selection of latest information, resources and events under the spotlight. In this week's issue, we would like to draw your attention to the following

Housing LIN 2015 annual conference slides

We are pleased to advise readers that all the slides are now available for downloading at: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Events/ArchivedEvents/ArchivedHousingEventDetail/?eventID=828


New Housing LIN blog: Extra care housing vs nursing homes for disabled older people

This blog by Jo Moriarty, a Research Fellow at the Social Care Workforce Research Unit, King's College London, shows a high degree of satisfaction amongst older and disabled people. While most residents were comparatively satisfied with their care, scores among those living in alternate housing developments were higher overall. A key difference was that alternate housing was seen as more comfortable and spacious with greater privacy. These residents were also more satisfied with their relationships with other professionals and the way their support was organised.

Read in full at: Extra care housing vs nursing homes for disabled older people


Prime Minister's challenge on dementia 2020

Since the launch of the Prime Minister's Challenge on Dementia significant progress has been made in improving health and care for people with dementia and carers, creating dementia friendly communities, and boosting dementia research. Coupled with this report, an additional £300m has been pledged, including more research to inform effective service models and the development of an effective pathway to enable interventions to be implemented across the health and care sectors.

In relation to housing and the built environment, there is reference (p30) to the recent health and housing Memorandum of Understanding on the Housing LIN website and an aspiration for "increased numbers of people with dementia being able to live longer in their own homes when it is in their interests to do so, with a greater focus on independent living." More at: Prime Minister's challenge on dementia 2020

For further detailed information on the links between housing, the built environment and dementia, visit the dedicated Housing LIN 'Focus on Dementia' webpages at: www.housinglin.org.uk/HousingandDementia

To view the Memorandum of Understanding, go to: Pioneering Health and Housing Memorandum of Understanding


Unblocking: Securing a health and social care system that protects older people

A new report 'Unblocking: Securing a health and social care system that protects older people', by think tank Localis, explores the failures of the health and social care system, which is resulting in sub-standard care for the older population. The study involved extensive interviews with local health experts, a survey of more than 100 senior local government figures and a number of case studies.

Cover UnblockingThe report, produced in partnership with Anchor, addresses some of the recent issues witnessed in the health service, explores the reasons behind them and argues that recent changes need to go further. It argues that it is older people who are suffering the most from the lack of health and social care integration. They are more likely than any other age group to face unnecessary admissions to hospital, and to experience lengthy discharge delays and poor standards of care - problems that are only likely to be compounded by shrinking health and social care budgets. And these vital issues will become ever more critical as the population of England continues to age. More at: www.localis.org.uk


Getting a foundation in housing

The University of Gloucestershire is offering a foundation degree, which seeks to develop housing and related professions. With a focus on context as well as practical application, this qualification is for housing and housing-related professionals, such as those from the care and welfare sector. Supported by the Housing LIN, the programme aims to promote and encourage the development of continued professional practice.

For more details, contact John Hepworth at: jhepworth@glos.ac.uk


Legal & General call for radical housing & pension reforms

In an feature in last week's Sunday Telegraph, Nigel Wilson is Group CEO of Legal & General, puts the case that reform of housing and pensions would provide better outcomes for longer-living consumers: more savings for retirement, better access to savings locked up in property and greater inter-generational fairness.

Read in full at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/11413205/Only-radical-reforms-can-save-the-UKs-ageing-population.html


Forthcoming Housing LIN event

25/03/2015 - South East Regional Housing LIN meeting - Basingstoke

More information and bookings are available at:

http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Events/ForthcomingEvents/HousingEventDetail/?eventID=829