Extra Care Housing

 

 

Extra Care Housing offers a unique housing option that promotes independence and well-being. It's designed to be flexible, catering to your changing needs over time. The goal is to provide high-quality housing with support and care services, allowing you to live independently in your community for as long as you choose.

Extra Care Housing provides you with an option of accommodation, that has been designed for people who are aged 55 and over to enable you your continued independence. Proven to enhance your quality of life, whilst supporting your continued independence this type of accommodation offers a more flexible approach in the provision of housing and homecare.

The location of the Extra Care Housing schemes enables you to be able to stay within your chosen community and have continued access to services close to home. Extra Care Housing has many other benefits such as: additional employment opportunities, greater use of community facilities and volunteering opportunities in the community.

It is essential to understand that Extra Care Housing is NOT a residential care home or a nursing care home. People living in Extra Care Housing have their own self-contained homes and their own front doors. Depending on the type, this housing may include communal facilities like a lounge, guest suite, laundry, shop, restaurant, fitness facilities, and hobby rooms. On-site staff can provide domestic support and personal care, focusing on helping you maintain independence with support available support needed.

Extra Care Housing is rented accommodation that you and the person you live with are responsible for. There is also a service charge, which covers for the upkeep of the communal areas. You will need to understand the content of the tenancy agreement and will need to be able to meet the requirements set out within the agreement.

You may have concerns about being able to afford the rent but it maybe that you are eligible for housing benefit, and you can find out more about this benefit by exploring the following websites:

https://www.gov.uk/housing-benefit 

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice

or by contacting your local District Councils benefits officers, Citizens advise and Age UK.

 

There are numerous benefits of Extra Care Housing, some of which are listed below:

• Safe and Accessible Accommodation
•  Encourages social interaction through various facilities and activities.
• 24-Hour Access to Care and Support Services: Provides reassurance with round-the-clock access to care and support.
• Focus on Strengths and Abilities: Emphasis on your strengths and abilities, supporting your ongoing independence.
• Positive Environment for Health and Well-being
• Maintains Enjoyable Activities: Increases your potential to continue doing what you enjoy, enhancing your quality of life.
• Offers a sense of security while respecting your privacy.

 

There are several different Extra Care Housing schemes across Lincolnshire, identified in the attached directory. The facilities offered within each of these schemes will vary and listed are some examples of what they offer.

Contact the Extra Care Housing scheme you are interested in to confirm what they have available. This may include:

• reception Services
• mobility scooter store and charge
• secure access to flats
• library facilities, function room and hobby room
• 24/7 emergency support
• 24/7 on-site team
• shop, restaurant, hairdressers
• assisted bathrooms
• therapeutic activities
• fitness facilities  
• laundry

• communal seated areas where you can meet new friends and neighbours for coffee and conversation and gardens

You can be involved in as much or as little as you like, you can share your experiences, organise groups and activities that enables you to share knowledge and skills. The Scheme Managers actively seek to invite local health support services and local communities to visit.

You can also gain additional top-up support, at a cost, for those important events.

 

Each of the Extra Care Housing schemes welcome visitors to come and have a look around and meet the team. You can arrange an appointment by contacting the Scheme Manager for the Extra Care scheme you are interested in. Their contact details are noted within the directory attached.

The Extra Care accommodation is spacious and has the following:

• You have your own letterbox; your own doorbell and Royal Mail delivers your post directly to you;
• There is an intercom system, so you know who is visiting;
• There is lifeline in place if you need it;
• There is a large open plan sitting room with a kitchen;
• The flats are one or two bedrooms but be aware as there may be a top up rent for the additional bedroom, the Scheme Manager will be able to advise you of this;
• Each flat has a wet room bathroom or a low threshold shower area and provides good space.
• Some housing options welcome small pets, but it varies. Before bringing a pet, it's essential to check with the Scheme Manager to ensure it's allowed.

 

Generally, you will need to have a care need to be considered for accommodation at an Extra Care Housing scheme but there are schemes that do not require you to have a care need to be considered so it's worth contacting the Scheme Manager of the Extra Care Housing scheme you are interested in to check.  

Extra Care Housing offers 24/7 care and support on-site, ranging from just 1 hour to over 10 hours per week. To determine your care requirements, a Needs Assessment by a Lincolnshire County Council Adult Care Practitioner is necessary. For more information or to request a Needs Assessment, please contact LCC Customer Service Centre at 01522 782155.

Your care needs will be taken into consideration to ensure that you are eligible for accommodation at the scheme and to ensure that the on-site care provider will be able to support your required care needs. The care provider can assist with personal care, domestic tasks, including shopping, and provide social support.

 

When applying for an Extra Care scheme, remember that each Housing Provider has a different process. Follow these steps:

• Contact the Housing Provider: Reach out to them to understand their application process.
• Make an appointment with the Scheme Manager. Visit the scheme you're interested in, ask questions to both the Scheme Manager and on-site care provider.

It is also important to consider the following:

• Ask for a copy of the Housing providers allocation policy as this will help you to understand the process of your application;
• Be aware that there will be a waiting list, but don't be put off by this; if at the time of your application there are no vacancies, still apply. If you're interested still complete your application, then the Housing provider will be able to assess whether you meet the criteria to be considered and will inform you if you are able to be added to the waiting list;
• You may also be asked by the Extra Care Scheme Manager for a copy of your care plan but don't worry if this has not yet been completed you can advise them that you have contacted Adult Care and waiting for your assessment to be completed.
• If you don't have a care plan but have had a Needs Assessment and you're happy to share your Needs Assessment with the Housing provider, then this can also be used to support your application;
• It is important to inform the Scheme Manager if things change for you whilst waiting to be considered for accommodation. It could result in a delay if you don’t as a decision cannot be made until further clarification of your needs have been confirmed.

 

With your consent, your application and the details from your Adult Care Practitioner will be reviewed by a panel. Panel meetings take place when there is a vacancy at the scheme.​

The panel consists of:

• Specialist Housing Manager​;
• Scheme Manager;​
• LCC Adult Care Representative; ​
• Care Provider – Team Leader
• District Housing Department Representative.​

Each application is carefully reviewed, and you can provide extra documents to highlight your strengths and abilities which will help to further support the outcome of your application​. Here's what you need to know:

• Not First Come, First Served: Applications aren't processed in order of arrival. They are based on accommodating the assessed needs of all applicants at the time of a vacancy.
• Additional Information: The LCC representative may need more details to understand if Extra Care Housing is suitable for you and to learn about your care needs.
• Panel Decision: The panel will reach a decision, and you'll be informed promptly. You'll have a few days to decide if you want to proceed.