A must read, latest Housing LIN weekly bulletin (11 June 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:
New Housing LIN Viewpoint - Continuing Care Neighbourhoods: neighbourhoods that continually care
This viewpoint by Roger Battersby, PRP Architects, argues that all of our residential neighbourhoods and communities - urban, suburban and rural - need to be considered as 'continuing care neighbourhoods', which are intergenerational, age-friendly and provide a network of care and support, if we are to meet the needs and aspirations of older people and the socio-economic challenges of our ageing population.
Read At: www.housinglin.org.uk/ContinuingCare_Viewpoint
Make time to read the new report by the Housing and Ageing Alliance
Mario Ambrosi, Anchor's Head of Communications & Public Affairs and a member of The Housing and Ageing Alliance (HAA), maps out the specific action needed to address the critical issue of housing for our ageing population in the recent report 'All our Futures...Housing for Ageing'.
or download the HAA report at: www.housinglin.org.uk/_library/Resources/Housing/HAA/HAA_Summit_Report.pdf
Legal and General report on Last Time Buyers
A new research study by Legal & General and the Centre for Economics and Business Research, has quantified the size and shape of the UK's "Last Time Buyer" market for the first time. It identified that there are 5.3m under-occupied homes in the UK, with 3.3m households looking to downsize. Furthermore, it estimates that this particular market owns 7.7m spare bedrooms and a total of £820 billion of housing wealth, set to reach £1.2 trillion in 2020. It also found the common reasons for homeowners to consider downsizing are that a current property has become unsuitable because of stairs or a large garden (45%) and the property becoming too large for their needs (33%). However whilst, Legal & General's research shows that almost a third of older homeowners have considered downsizing in the last five years, fewer than one in ten (7%) actually did move.
Becoming a dementia friendly organisation
This summary by the Guinness Partnership, in collaboration with the Institute of Public Care, sets out a plan for how all parts of the Partnership, including Guinness Care and Support, will become dementia friendly. The Partnership now plans to:
- Test a new approach to delivering services for customers living with dementia in a pilot area where we can be confident that this will have a positive impact for a significant number of customers living with dementia
- Involve customers and staff in developing the services we offer those living with dementia
- Identify where we can integrate dementia-friendly measures into existing systems and training programmes
- Embed practical measures quickly where we can; for example making appropriate adjustments when carrying out planned maintenance projects, and increasing the range of assistive technology we offer.
To find out more about housing and dementia, check out the Housing LIN 'Focus on Dementia' pages at: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/HousingandDementia
And to view the Guinness Partnership report, go to: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/HousingandDementia/Provision/SpecialistHousing/?&msg=0&parent=5050&child=9599
ADASS 2015 budget survey
In its latest annual survey of spending on adults social care, ADASS calls on government to `protect essential care and support services to our most vulnerable citizens'. In particular, the survey shows between 2010-11 and 2015-16, social care funding has decreased 10.7% from £14.9 billion to £13.3 billion. Moreover, spending on non FACS eligible preventative services this year, such as housing related support and telecare, is likely to amount to £880 million or 6.6% of the budget.
More at: http://www.adass.org.uk/budget-survey-2015-press-release
House of Commons briefing on planning
This briefing paper on 'Planning for Housing' by the House of Commons library sets out how local authorities are directed to plan for housing, concern about unplanned developments, as well as the new Government's proposals for planning reform to boost supply.
Download at: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/Planning/LevelGuidance/?&msg=0&parent=9185&child=9598
Developing evidence-enriched practice in health and social care with older people in Wales and Scotland
Thanks to NCF for drawing attention to this innovative project which looked at how evidence can be used to enrich practice. Based on research from the JRF, 'A Better Life programme', the project focused on what matters to older people, carers, staff, organisations and researchers. The project demonstrated the benefits of using research and related contextual evidence in developing services and workforces, resulting in improved wellbeing for older people, carers and staff.
More at: www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/developing-social-care-summary.pdf
Telecare LIN weekly update
This week's news headlines from the Telecare LIN can be downloaded in two formats (doc; pdf) at:
Forthcoming Housing LIN regional meeting
- 01/07/2015 - SW Regional Housing LIN meeting, Taunton (reserve places still available)
- 09/07/2015 - East of England Regional Housing LIN meeting, Hoddesdon
Registrations now open under the link below: www.housinglin.org.uk/Events/ForthcomingEvents
Other events supported by the Housing LIN
CIH Annual Conference & Exhibition
The Housing LIN is delighted to be supporting the Health and Housing 'hub' at this year's CIH conference in Manchester (23-26 June). Come and meet the team. There is also a 2 day event conference within a conference on 24 and 25 June. Jeremy will be speaking on the 2nd day. More at: www.cihhousing.com/Content/Health-Social-Care-and-Housing-Conference/11
Enhanced health in care homes: Developing integrated care: what role do care homes play?
Jeremy will be chairing a session which will focus on housing based models of care at this King's Fund event in London 2 July 2015. Register at: www.kingsfund.org.uk/events/enhanced-health-care-homes
Stay networked with the Housing LIN for latest news, views and resources on housing with care matters.