Inclusive Living: ageing, adaptations and future-proofing homes

Inclusive Living is a concept and practical intervention developed from a systematic literature review and co-produced by the Scottish housing sector. The approach aims to implement inclusive change in areas of development, repair, maintenance and service delivery by facilitating longer term planning within housing organisations to create homes that are accessible and allow for ageing-in-place.

This synthesis paper, written by Dr Vikki McCall, Senior Lecturer in Social Policy and Housing at the University of Stirling, critically examines the theories that support the Inclusive Living framework, focusing on adaptations (also known as home and environmental modifications to support accessibility).

Current challenges around accessibility are explored:

• poor-quality homes
• disinvestment in repair and maintenance,
• and the fragmented policy landscape and funding around adaptations.

Proactive approaches to adaptations are found to lead to better outcomes for individuals and they need to be understood as a ‘public issue’ not a ‘private trouble’ to encourage investment in housing sector solutions.

Dr Vikki McCall spoke at a HAPPI Hour webinar on Ageing well with Assistive Technology that put the spotlight on the INVITE project and the work of University of Stirling and the co-produced research conducted with Stonewater Housing, funded by the Longleigh Foundation.