Sheltered Housing for the Elderly: Policy, Practice and the Consumer

In the early 1980s, the UK had ten million retirement-age people who were disadvantaged and deprived, over-represented in sub-standard housing and in need of support from personal social services. Sheltered housing was seen as a solution to these problems, but there was little information about the numbers of schemes, who owned them, how they were managed, the aims and assumptions of those who provided or advocated them, how the schemes functioned, and the role, experience, and attitudes of wardens. The Leeds study, published in 1983, was the most comprehensive and detailed to have been conducted into sheltered housing. It sought to answer important questions about the growth and proliferation of sheltered housing, to evaluate it from different points of view, and to consider the scope for future development. The book describes an innovatory and evolving form of social provision and illuminates the operation and impact of policy in action at several levels. It examines sheltered housing as a response to myths and prejudices about ageing, the usefulness of alarm systems, the evolution and modifications taking place.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 05 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In the early 1980s, the ten million people of retirement age in the UK were among the disadvantaged and deprived, heavily over-represented in sub-standard housing and in most need of support from the personal social services. One form of social provision that gained rapidly in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s was sheltered housing, which was seen to combine housing with care, provide support while fostering independence, and give scope for flexibility and experimentation in adapting schemes to local circumstances. By the late 1970s, hundreds of schemes were administered, and they were occupied by half a million elderly tenants. Sheltered housing was called 'the greatest breakthrough in the housing scene since the war.' Extravagant expectations were aroused, and sheltered housing was regarded by some as the solution to all manner of complex problems.

However, relatively little was known about the numbers of schemes and where they were located; who owned them and how they were managed; the aims and assumptions of those who provided or advocated sheltered housing; how the schemes functioned and whether they achieved what they were set up to do; the role, experience, and attitudes of wardens; what kinds of people lived in sheltered housing, their history, and how they became tenants; their assessment of the scheme; and much else.

The Leeds study, originally published in 1983, was the most comprehensive and detailed to have been conducted into sheltered housing. It evoked widespread interest in Britain and abroad at the time. It sought to answer some of the important questions about the growth and proliferation of sheltered housing, to evaluate sheltered housing from different perspectives, and to explore the experiences of those who lived in sheltered housing.

The study was conducted by the University of Leeds and involved a comprehensive survey of sheltered housing schemes in the city. The survey included a range of questions covering the demographic characteristics of tenants, the management and administration of the schemes, the aims and objectives of the providers, the quality of the housing and services, and the experiences of tenants.

The findings of the study were published in a report titled 'Sheltered Housing in Leeds: A Study of Tenants' Experiences.' The report revealed that sheltered housing was providing a good quality of housing and services to a significant number of elderly people in Leeds. The schemes were providing a safe and secure environment, with a high level of tenant satisfaction, and were helping to reduce the isolation and loneliness of older people.

The study also highlighted some of the challenges and difficulties faced by sheltered housing providers. The demand for sheltered housing was increasing, and there was a shortage of suitable accommodation available. The cost of providing sheltered housing was also a significant issue, with many schemes relying on government funding and subsidies to meet their costs.

The study also explored the role of wardens in sheltered housing schemes. Wardens were responsible for the day-to-day management of the schemes, and for providing support and assistance to tenants. The study found that wardens played an important role in the lives of tenants, providing a sense of security and stability and helping to foster a sense of community within the schemes.

The study also revealed some of the differences between different types of sheltered housing schemes. There were schemes that were specifically designed for older people, while others were designed for people with disabilities or mental health issues. The study found that these different types of schemes had different needs and requirements, and that it was important to tailor the services and support provided to meet these needs.

Overall, the Leeds study was a significant contribution to the literature on sheltered housing. It provided a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the growth and proliferation of sheltered housing in Leeds, and of the experiences of those who lived in sheltered housing. The study highlighted the importance of sheltered housing in providing a good quality of housing and services to older people, and the challenges and difficulties faced by providers in meeting the demand for sheltered housing.

Weight: 440g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032048277