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Original poster

To propose a solution to care using over 55 developments

66 replies

Caffeineislife · 18/08/2023 10:36

After reading and also seeing the struggle for elderly care it is obvious that the current model is not working. Its creaking under demand and needs a full overhaul that needs to come from government level.

I would like to propose a possible solution using the sheer amount of over 55 developments that seem to be springing up everywhere. I'm sure it will not be popular with the developers but might prove popular. It would also help reduce the travel of carers so would mean better conditions for them.

What if we made over 55 developments like mini care facilities. So all the flats/ apartments in them are self contained with all the facilities to live independently. They all have accessible showers/ baths wet rooms in them, kitchens, living rooms etc in them that they have now so no real change for the developers. But on top floor/ in the grounds there is a care office. So think wardens at night and in the day that can be contacted via a phone/ push button. A carer base, where the carers are based who provide care needed for the residents in the flats. This means carers only have 1 commute (to the development), they have the same residents and residents have the same carers, carers can walk between flats to each resident needing care reducing milage and times between clients. You wouldn't have to have care if you didn't need it as just like now you would have to pay/ be funded for it.

Meals could be done in the community room so residents who are mobile could socialise at meals if they wished. Ideally I would also have a small shop onsite so residents could shop for essentials if they were able to/ wished to. Just imagine there could be a Dr/ hairdresser/ chiropodist etc visit arranged in the community room - like in care homes where they come for a session and sees everyone who needs to be seen. Would relieve the burden on family who need to take elderly relatives to these appointments. Someone would need to organise this creating jobs.

Maybe it exists already, just not in my area. Thoughts?

OP posts:
Blackbyrd · 18/08/2023 11:33

These already exist, not "sheltered" but "supported" social housing. So nothing radical being proposed here. What is needed is a National Care Service, and the loopholes that wealthy families utilise to avoid paying their fair share for care to be closed. Local authorities are literally being driven bankrupt through Adult Social Care responsibilities to the detriment of everyone else

Original poster
Caffeineislife · 18/08/2023 11:33

I only said over 55 as that's what they are marketed at in our area. Did always think 55 is very young. In reality a lot of the over 55 living facilities round us have much older people buying/ renting them GMIL is 85 and keeps looking at them.

I can imagine they would be open to abuse. I was thinking more social housing style to rent rather than buy though.

I was thinking it would be more of a move towards sheltered housing, they have demolished all but 1 in our area and replaced with private over 55s developments for purchase for £££ but with none of the sheltered housing benefits.

OP posts:
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 18/08/2023 11:34

55? You're having a laugh! That's 7 years away from me and I can't think of anything worse.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Care homes Dementia & alzheimer's
AuntieJune · 18/08/2023 11:35

Most people don't want to move into a care home at 85, let alone 55.

My grandmother in her 90s still refused to go to any older people's clubs etc as they were for old people. You can be as old as the hills and still not see yourself as elderly.

ArcticSkewer · 18/08/2023 11:35

Op is talking about the already existing/being built over 55s developments. It's a thing. No need to be offended by their very existence

Anyway op, what you describe is basically sheltered housing. That already exists too.

AuntieJune · 18/08/2023 11:36

What they could do is buy up commercial property in town centres which has been left empty by companies downsizing due to remote/hybrid working - there could be lots of housing which would be in good walkable locations, close to shops and amenities.

Abra1t · 18/08/2023 11:39

Someone on MN once completely genuinely talked about 'very elderly drivers' as people 'over 60'.

It makes me wonder whether people in their own families just don't make it much beyond 59 or are incredibly frail and housebound.

BotterMon · 18/08/2023 11:41

It's called Extra Care. There are both private and local authority run sites. It is exactly as you describe and wonderful! Some people buy their flats via shared equity well before they have any care needs but know that as they age, there are care staff on site 24/7 so they're buying piece of mind for the future.

The private ones (Audley builds and provides the care) are extremely expensive whereas others more affordable. Lots of residents have their flats paid for by housing benefit but are housed in really nice flats with good communal facilities including a restaurant, sometimes a gym, usually hair dresser and a room for visiting practioners such as massage therapists etc. even in the less posh ones.

You have to be 55+ and have both a housing and care need to be funded.

x2boys · 18/08/2023 11:43

Abra1t · 18/08/2023 11:39

Someone on MN once completely genuinely talked about 'very elderly drivers' as people 'over 60'.

It makes me wonder whether people in their own families just don't make it much beyond 59 or are incredibly frail and housebound.

I think its an age thing im.nearly 50, so 60 is only 10/years,away and doesn't seem that old ,when I was 20 I would have probably seen a 60 year old as someone quite.old.

lovewoola · 18/08/2023 11:44

a) people won't want to move
b) huge shortage of workers in the sector so where does the staff come from
c) who pays for it.

Abra1t · 18/08/2023 11:45

x2boys · 18/08/2023 11:43

I think its an age thing im.nearly 50, so 60 is only 10/years,away and doesn't seem that old ,when I was 20 I would have probably seen a 60 year old as someone quite.old.

Show quote history

Quite old, yes, but not very elderly!

Bramshott · 18/08/2023 11:46

I think what the OP is arguing for is that flats FOR CARERS TO LIVE IN should be incorporated into these schemes in the future? That sounds like a reasonable idea given how many of these schemes are being built, with presumably at present no thought at all about where the carers will come from much less where they will live.

DragonflyLady · 18/08/2023 11:51

One year away for me and I have a pre-teen! Not sure she’d be welcome in one!!

Harebrain · 18/08/2023 11:51

There are quite a few retirement villages near me. The trouble is, they’re expensive and when families come up sell them, they sit on the market for ages. I’m in the target market but there’s no way DH & I want to live in an enclave with just other senior citizens. We want to be in among people of all ages. What we do plan to do though, is downsize in the next couple of years, to a house which is as future proof as possible. We need a downstairs loo (which could become a showroom) and a reception room which could become a bedroom.

Harebrain · 18/08/2023 11:56

The downstairs loo will become a shower room! Not a showroom. No one needs to see THAT 😂

UnderCarraigeWoes · 18/08/2023 11:58

Blimey sounds like being institutionalised at 55!

Selfesteem23 · 18/08/2023 12:05

Caffeineislife · 18/08/2023 10:36

After reading and also seeing the struggle for elderly care it is obvious that the current model is not working. Its creaking under demand and needs a full overhaul that needs to come from government level.

I would like to propose a possible solution using the sheer amount of over 55 developments that seem to be springing up everywhere. I'm sure it will not be popular with the developers but might prove popular. It would also help reduce the travel of carers so would mean better conditions for them.

What if we made over 55 developments like mini care facilities. So all the flats/ apartments in them are self contained with all the facilities to live independently. They all have accessible showers/ baths wet rooms in them, kitchens, living rooms etc in them that they have now so no real change for the developers. But on top floor/ in the grounds there is a care office. So think wardens at night and in the day that can be contacted via a phone/ push button. A carer base, where the carers are based who provide care needed for the residents in the flats. This means carers only have 1 commute (to the development), they have the same residents and residents have the same carers, carers can walk between flats to each resident needing care reducing milage and times between clients. You wouldn't have to have care if you didn't need it as just like now you would have to pay/ be funded for it.

Meals could be done in the community room so residents who are mobile could socialise at meals if they wished. Ideally I would also have a small shop onsite so residents could shop for essentials if they were able to/ wished to. Just imagine there could be a Dr/ hairdresser/ chiropodist etc visit arranged in the community room - like in care homes where they come for a session and sees everyone who needs to be seen. Would relieve the burden on family who need to take elderly relatives to these appointments. Someone would need to organise this creating jobs.

Maybe it exists already, just not in my area. Thoughts?

There are all ready places like this. My relative lives in one. It’s council run but more money than usual rents and modern with alarms in the flats/staff support as needed. Communal room. You can also pay more for further daily care/support up to a point. But it’s not a care or nursing home.

There are also younger people there than 60s/70s etc with complex medical or mobilty issues where it’s safer for them to still live independently but can have access to the support. My relative loves it as do their friends.

CantFindTheBeat · 18/08/2023 12:11

You're right, OP, retirement places are very frequently advertised as over 55s.

www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/housing-options/specialist-housing-options/

I'm two years off!

Selfesteem23 · 18/08/2023 12:11

Oops sorry didn’t mean to quote the op there sorry

Enforceddrysummer · 18/08/2023 12:16

My DF lived in one as you describe. It was awful. Whenever he had an emergency situation the warden was on leave or off duty. He paid over £400 per month twenty years ago in fees plus council tax. The flat was all electric and the heating cost a fortune. When he sold he had to pay one per cent back to the management company. Absolute rip off with a poor standard of care. They even charged a fee for the emergency button he wore round his neck. When he moved to a normal house, he got one for free from the council.

StupidHip · 18/08/2023 12:17

They do exist. My great aunts lived in "warden controlled" council flats in the 80s. They had help buttons in every room and one to wear around their neck. Someone who checked on them every few days. But it wasn't "care". They still had to be capable of all their own personal care or it was arranged separately via social services.

I have a friend in her 80s who has recently moved I to a similar set up although privately owned. I think it is an over 55s complex although most residents are older. They have call buttons and a "concierge" who performs the same function as the warden above.

LivStanshall · 18/08/2023 12:22

People actually do better if they stay in their own home and cook, wash up, do the garden, take care of the house. All these everyday tasks can help stave off dementia and help to keep them fit and active. There is also a shortage of care workers so housing people in developments isn’t going to help that if they need care. If the development provides this, it will come at a huge cost. Many people wouldn’t be able to afford it. Sorry, OP, I think it is a terrible idea.

MadNads · 18/08/2023 12:28

Abbey field already offer this as sheltered housing it's around 2k per month (!) they have places all over the country.

Justcallmebebes · 18/08/2023 12:30

thatsn0tmyname · 18/08/2023 10:51

They exist. And they're very expensive to buy.

This. We have one in my village and its a lovely complex. Unfortunately, due to cost cutting. There's no longer permanent staff or night staff on site.

Plus, 55 is way too young. I'm older and still working full time

FinallyHere · 18/08/2023 12:32

Over 55? That's a decade you get than me. Might be ok for 'old' people

How is what you describe different to sheltered accommodation?