Supported Living and Associated Services for Older People
In the Southern area, 5% of the population is between 60 and 64 years and 13% is aged 65 years and over. With 18% of the population aged 60 years and over and continuing rapid growth in this group, the demands on health and social services continue to increase.
While more people are living longer fuller lives and are able to maintain their independence, increasing numbers of older people have more complex needs. Considering that as people age they are more likely to experience disability or illness, there continues to be increased demands placed on the provision of care for older people.
The range of health and social care services available to support older people to remain independent at home for as long as possible includes Integrated Care Teams comprising Nursing, Social Work and Occupational Therapy, Memory Services, Reablement, Intermediate Care Services (Rehabilitation), Domiciliary Care Services, Rapid Response services, Day Care, Residential and Nursing Care, Floating support / Supported Living options, technological support and a range of social support services provided by community and voluntary organisations.
Supported Living Schemes provide innovative living solutions and appropriate housing support to assist older people with different levels of care needs. Schemes can provide an alternative solution to nursing and residential homes for older people who wish to remain living in their local community. They provide greater housing support, promote social inclusion and further enhance independence and quality of life.
There are currently 3 supported living accommodation based schemes in the Trust area and these are all located in the Craigavon and Banbridge locality area. They offer accommodation to 41 older people. Whilst they are not provided by the Trust it is important that we help to identify housing need and signpost individuals to the various providers who may be able to offer support.
Current Supported Living Schemes
|
Programme of Care |
Type of Scheme |
Name/Address of scheme |
No of places in scheme |
Housing Association |
Personal Care/ Housing Related Support Provider |
|
Dementia |
Accommodation Based |
Spelga Mews Banbridge |
24 |
Fold HA |
Fold HA SHSCT contribute personal care costs |
|
Older People |
Accommodation Based |
Scarva Street Banbridge |
7 |
Abbeyfield UK (NI) ltd |
Abbeyfield UK (NI) + SHSCT Care support |
|
Older People |
Accommodation Based |
Sloan Street Craigavon |
10 |
Abbeyfield UK (NI) ltd |
Abbeyfield UK (NI) + SHSCT Care support |
The Trust has been working to further develop Supported Living Options. In July 2010 the Trust was granted approval by the Southern Area Supporting People Partnership (SASSP) to progress the development of a supported living scheme in the Kilkeel area to provide 12 self-contained units of accommodation. Planning approval has now been secured for this scheme.
In addition The Trust has business cases approved by Supporting People for 2 additional supported living accommodation based schemes; one scheme in Dromore/Banbridge and another in Armagh/Dungannon. These will provide a further 36 supported living units for older people and those with low-moderate memory issues.
There are also two floating support schemes in Newry and Mourne and Armagh and Dungannon Council areas, offering support to approximately 90 older people. Floating support is a scheme which supports people to maintain their tenancy and remain independently living in their own home in the community.
The Kilkeel scheme can be contacted on 028 4176 3760.
The scheme in Armagh and Dungannon is in partnership with BCM - contact 028 8775 0175.
Sheltered Accommodation
Within southern area there are a number of sheltered accommodation schemes offering lower level housing support from a range of Housing association including Alpha Housing, Clanmil, Fold, Oaklee and Trinity. This type of accommodation generally refers to grouped housing such as a block or ‘scheme’ of flats or bungalows with a scheme manager. It offers self-contained accommodation, suited to needs of older people. It provides a sense of security and proximity to neighbors with similar needs and is available within local communities. There are 21 schemes in the Craigavon and Banbridge area, 12 in the Armagh and Dungannon area and 10 within the Newry and Mourne locality. There are limited vacancies available across the year in these schemes. Further information is available from Northern Ireland Housing Executive on 028 9024 0588.
There is a range of Independent Sector residential and nursing homes offering care for older people and older people with dementia. There is capacity within the Care Homes for older people with varying needs.
In addition, there are 5 statutory Residential Homes with capacity for 121 residents. Referral is based on a professional social work assessment in line with need and eligibility criteria.
Regionally-agreed criteria (which is being used when considering the future of the homes) has been applied and a report has gone to the Health and Social Care Board for consideration/approval.