Finding the right place for you to live

Sheltered housing is accommodation designed to allow people (usually over 55) to live independently. In the Cardiff area it usually consists of one or two bedroom flats (on the ground or first floor) or bungalows. Although the individual properties are self-contained, most schemes also have communal facilities such as a lounge, a laundry room, a garden and facilities for storing and charging mobility scooters.

All sheltered housing schemes have community alarms installed that provide an emergency response service on a 24 hour basis. Most schemes also have a manager/warden who, during office hours, can help with day-to-day problems and issues. The manager is also responsible for arranging on-site services (such as visits by mobile hairdressers) and activities such as coffee mornings, visits and classes.

Extra-care housing – also known as very sheltered housing, assisted living or enhanced sheltered housing – is similar to standard sheltered housing, but there is a higher level of support, and help with personal care is available to those who need it.

Sheltered housing schemes do not offer any medical or nursing care. If you require on-site medical care, sheltered housing may not be the best option.

Details of all sheltered housing in the Cardiff area can be found through:

• Cardiff Housing; cardiffhousing.co.uk or Tel: 02920 872 087
• Housing Care; housingcare.org
• Age Cymru ageuk.org.uk/cymru or Tel: 08000 223 444

These are residential properties that fully take into account the needs of disabled people, for example those in wheelchairs. So they provide things like step-free access from street to property and ground-level access to a toilet or bathroom. Cardiff Accessible Homes was set up to help applicants who wish to move from their current property into one that suits their needs. The project is currently supported and funded by Cardiff County Council, Cadwyn, Cardiff Community, Hafod, Linc-Cymru, United Welsh, Taff Housing and Wales and West Housing Association.

Anyone who considers themselves to be disabled can apply. That means

• People with mobility difficulties
• People with physical difficulties
• If you have a particular need involving adaptations or aids which would affect what type of housing you need then Cardiff Accessible Homes can help, e.g. providing a ramp or walk-in shower.

Apply by contacting:

Cardiff Accessible Homes, Tolven Court, Dowlais Road, Cardiff, CF24 5LQ, Tel: 02920 468 408. When the form has been received, it will be passed to an Occupational Therapist who will arrange to visit you at your home to assess your needs.

Note – Even if you own your present home, you can still opt to live in council or Housing Association property. However, you will need to show your property is on the market; ideally, you should have tried to sell it within 12 months.

Park homes or mobile homes are single-storey residential homes built on dedicated sites in rural or semi-rural settings. They are a popular choice for older age groups and are lower cost in comparison with bricks and mortar. Be aware, though, that only the home itself is being purchased, not the land on which it is situated. The land belongs to the site owner to whom residents pay a pitch fee.

Renting has the advantage of allowing you to try out a new location or a different size or style of home, before making any longer-term commitments. New rental agreements are usually fixed for an initial term of six or twelve months.

1. Is there good public transport in the new area, and is it readily accessible?
2. Can friends and family easily get to the area and park near the new property?
3. Are there good shops nearby? A library? A café?
4. How far away is the nearest doctor’s surgery and pharmacy?
5. Are there local activities and classes that match your particular interests?
6. Does the area feel safe? Is the building well-secured?

For some people continuing to live at home can become increasingly difficult, especially if someone lives on their own. Their carers, who are usually partners or members of the wider family want the best for the person. However, at some point everyone may agree that, even with a full ‘package of care’ or even a live-in carer, things are not working out and a move to a care home may be the best option.This could be due to:

• A significant deterioration in the person’s health or mobility caused by an illness or a fall.
• A problem with the person’s mental health, such as advancing dementia that limits their ability to stay safely in their own home.
• Loss of help that was previously provided by a partner, relative or neighbour.
• Loneliness, isolation or depression

A care home can help with personal care – such as supervision, washing, dressing or going to the toilet. Nursing care is provided by a qualified nurse within the community or based within the home.

Residential care homes

A care home without nursing (also known as a residential care home) offers personal care, such as help getting up in the morning, going to bed at night, going to the toilet and eating meals. Residential homes might be a good option for people who need regular or frequent help with personal care, and who can no longer have their needs met at home.

Nursing homes

If someone is unable to leave their bed, or has any sort of medical condition or illness that requires frequent medical attention, their options are more limited. Long-term nursing care is not provided in sheltered housing or through care at home services. If someone needs medical care, they will probably need to look for a care home that provides nursing care.

Choosing and funding a care home

There are three key steps that will help someone make an informed choice

1. Shortlist – find care homes in your chosen area that provide the type of care needed
2. Contact – ask for brochures, statements of purpose and written details of costs. You could also ask about availability of places that suit the person’s needs
3. Visit – where possible, the person and family should go together. If the person is unable to visit, ask a representative from the home to visit him or her and talk things through.