By Charlotte Webster-
A majority of Brits believe the British government should widen housing options for older people, with almost three quarters interested in housing with care as an alternative to care homes.
A new survey shows that more than half (56%) of people are interested in moving, rising to 70% if to somewhere with care and support, but lack good local downsizing options.
The survey, conducted by Later Life Ambitions and the Associated Retirement Community Operators (ARCO) on 301 people in the UK, highlights the gap between the needs and wants of older people and the options available to them
Later Life Ambitions brings together collective voices of over a quarter of a million pensioners through the National Federation of Occupational Pensioners, the Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance, and the National Association of Retired Police Officers Association.
Later Life Ambitions (LLA) last month welcomed the Chancellor’s assurances in the Spending Review that the pensions triple lock will be protected for another year. The organisation called on the British Government to provide long-term certainty to pensioners that the triple lock will continue.
Lowest Pensions
The UK state pension remains the lowest relative to earnings of 36 leading industrialised countries (OECD Report 2017) and represents a smaller percentage of GDP compared to other countries (House of Commons Library, July 2019).
Brought to The Eye Of Media.Com’s attention through this publication’s thinktank member, Terry Edwards, Mr Edwards says it is also important for the public to judge the government by how well it treats its pensioners.
He said: ” Most young people never think they will be pensioners until father time creeps on them, as it does on everyone. Even the young have pensioner parents or grandparents, who also deserve the best treatment from the government, given their investments in society during their working years.
The way pensioners are treated is likely to reflect to some degree on the way the rest of the public are treated. Britain is still one of the best countries in he world to live in, but more can be done to help different groups of people, including those who call for better accommodation.
And just for the record, I personally don’t benefit from any changes to the system, as neither myself or immediate family is in a care home or needs to be in one. However, I have friends with family members in care homes, and friends who work with the Associated Retirement Community Operators(ARCO).
Range Of Housing
The LLA survey asked members about their current living situation, whether they would be interested in moving, and what factors would appeal to them in a new home. It helps to have empathy and bear other people’s situation in mind”.
There was broad consensus by respondents that more needs to be done to expand the range of housing and care options available to older people. There was also agreement that there is too much uncertainty and not enough transparency around the range of options which currently exist, and the fees and charges associated with them.
62% of whom were 65 or over – 90% supported government action to increase the provision of housing for older people, while 53% said their local area does not have enough downsizing options, including those with care.
When asked to rank top priorities for government change, more people surveyed called for the creation of better alternatives to care homes , with 94% agreeing the government should consider this, followed by developing a clear national strategy to encourage growth.
Also rated as important was the provision of more information to older people about their choices, making improvements to the planning system, and strengthening consumer protection and clarity
Michael Voges, executive director of ARCO, said: “The new evidence demonstrates starkly the gulf between what housing and care options people want when they are older, and those currently available to them.
“A majority of older people are interested in moving should there be the right option in their local area, but the current supply of good quality housing and care is simply nowhere near enough to meet demand.
“When 90% of people call on the Government to widen housing options for older people, including those providing care, then it is time to listen and act swiftly.”
Lisa Ray, general secretary Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance and Later Life Ambitions Partner said: “Appropriate and comfortable housing helps older people maintain independence, wellbeing and physical health. Needs and preference evolve with age, but the options available have not kept up with demand.
“Successive governments have failed to address this issue. With more than half of those who took part in the survey saying they were interested in downsizing, but local offers were not good enough, today’s research shows how urgently solutions are required. It is time for the Government to take action.”
In addition to broad interest in housing options that include care, 14% said they would like to move specifically to a retirement community.
Michael Voges, executive director of ARCO, said: “The new evidence demonstrates starkly the gulf between what housing and care options people want when they are older, and those currently available to them.
“When 90% of people call on the Government to widen housing options for older people, including those providing care, then it is time to listen and act swiftly.”
Lisa Ray, general secretary Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance and Later Life Ambitions Partner said: “Appropriate and comfortable housing helps older people maintain independence, wellbeing and physical health. Needs and preference evolve with age, but the options available have not kept up with demand.
“Successive governments have failed to address this issue. With more than half of those who took part in the survey saying they were interested in downsizing, but local offers were not good enough, today’s research shows how urgently solutions are required. It is time for the Government to take action.”