Housing with care for later life

This report presents a comprehensive overview of the most recent evidence related to new and emerging models of housing with care for later life. Reflecting the current emphasis on developing evidence-based policy and practice, the review focuses on primary research and service evaluations, drawing out key messages for service providers and commissioners regarding how best to meet the housing and care needs of older people in an ageing society. There is growing interest and investment from the public and private sector in housing schemes for older people that combine independent living with relatively high levels of care. These schemes are thought to promote independence, reduce social isolation, and reduce the use of institutional care. The primary focus of the review is on UK evidence that addresses these crucial issues of independence, social integration, and the capacity of housing with care to meet a range of care needs. Although the UK evidence base is small, it provides highly useful insights into how well housing with care serves current policy objectives, and whether housing with care meets the needs and aspirations of older people. Although the evidence base supports the idea that housing with care promotes independence, and generates high levels of resident satisfaction, messages around key areas of interest are more ambivalent. The review will be of significant interest to all those engaged with commissioning and developing housing with care schemes for older people, including policy makers, service planners, commissioners, and those actively engaged in developing and delivering services. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has supported this project as part of its programme of research and innovative development projects, which it hopes will be of value to policy makers, practitioners and service users. The facts presented and views expressed in this report are, however, those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Foundation. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this report by photocopying or electronic means for non-commercial purposes is permitted. Otherwise, no part of this report may be reproduced, adapted, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.