Lifetime Homes: Protecting Against the Spiralling Cost of Social Care

Many people concerned about the increasing cost of social care could save thousands of pounds a year by staying in their homes and modifying them for their own needs.  

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Supercarers, a firm which helps people find carers, have calculated that those with mild care needs could save up to £17,000 a year by opting for just three hours of care a day at home.  Those with more complex needs could also save £6,500 by staying in their own modified homes.  In comparison, figures by LaingBuisson, a firm of analysts, reveal that the average cost of a residential care home is now £32,000.  This is an increase over the past 20 years at twice the rate of inflation.

We can support you with these modifications, enabling you to stay in your own home for longer by applying the principles of the Lifetime Homes scheme.  The Lifetime Homes scheme emerged from the work developed by the Habinteg Housing Association and the Helen Hamlyn Foundation in the late 1980s, with the interest of providing housing needs for the disabled and the elderly.

A Lifetime Home follows 16 design criteria that provide the absolute model for building accessible and adaptable homes.  From consideration of approach gradients, level entrance thresholds, through to reinforcement of ceilings and walls to allow tracking hoist routes and handrails, Lifetime Homes are ideal for those with additional physical and sensory needs – as well as supporting an ageing population and their carers.

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Incorporating Lifetime Homes standards into new-build housing schemes can reduce the need for complex future adaptations and giver greater choice to people who cannot easily achieve independent living due to the lack of suitable existing housing. Lifetime Homes rarely require greater space standards and should not impact on the density of a development.  Also, because of their thoughtful design, they often feel more spacious, a feature which is important in high density developments and could increase house value.

At ethical partnership we are passionate about providing housing to meet the needs of our entire population through the Lifetime Homes scheme.  We can review designs, train builders, and undertake site audits. Contact us today for more information and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter to keep up-to-date with developments in the planning industry.  Visit our new YouTube page to easily find all of our videos about planning, the environment and the services we offer.

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