Case studies for comissioners
A pilot project of the Housing Options for Older People (HOOP) service was set up for two years in Weymouth and Portland. A report was published and Dorset Older People’s Forums identified the need for a county-wide service based upon a conference consulting older people across the county. The project was then incorporated as a key objective of the Dorset HIA strategic plan. A bid was made to Dorset Partnership for Older People Projects (POPPs) which agreed to partially fund the project on the basis of other organisations contributing to the costs. A funding partnership was then formed including the district councils, Dorset Primary Care Trust, The Royal British Legion and Help the Aged. A major local registered social landlord has also offered support through the provision of office space to the caseworkers.
The new initiative consists of five part-time caseworkers, based at each of the three home improvement agencies in Dorset, linking in closely with statutory and voluntary sector partners. The extensive network of older people built up within the POPPs infrastructure has been a key source of referrals for the service.
HOOP services provide impartial advice, information, support, advocacy and practical help to people who are considering moving home. The service enables older people to achieve the outcome best suited to their needs. On average, about 20% of clients decide to move following intervention, and the remainder stay put. The level of support offered by the caseworkers to each client will depend upon the requirements of the individual. Because the HOOP service is based within the home improvement agency, there is an additional benefit of giving the client the opportunity to take advantage of mainstream home improvement agency services (for example, small repairs, adaptations and support to apply for grant-aided larger adaptations) if they make an informed choice to continue with their existing living arrangements. All issues concerning the client are explored, including benefits, social care, isolation and access to other services. The service is impartial, without any vested interest in particular outcomes, and facilitates decisions based on informed choices.
To enable more older people to live independently in comfort, safety and security
To support older people to exercise choice and control over their future
To improve older people’s health and wellbeing
To support older people to make informed choices as to whether to stay put in their current home or move to a more suitable property, and to support them to act upon that choice
To make the best use of the supported and rented social housing available
To make the best possible use of money allocated to undertake repairs and adaptations to properties
To improve information and feedback about older people’s housing, care and support needs for strategic planning purposes
To prevent accidents in the home.
Mr S, aged 83, had lived for 15 years in area that he felt was becoming increasingly hostile - with gangs, people drinking in the street, and people taking drugs becoming more commonplace. This was making Mr S feel frightened and vulnerable, but despite his housing association offering him alternative accommodation, he did not feel able to move from his home. He was concerned about matters such as advising the bank of his change of details, registering with a new GP, packing, and all the other activities that needed to be done in order to make the move.
A bungalow became available and Mr S’s Housing Association Area Manager made contact with the Housing Options for Older People (HOOP) project to see if they would be able to offer Mr S some support. The HOOP caseworker visited Mr S and talked through his anxieties with him. With the caseworker’s support, he decided to accept the new bungalow. Within a week, he had moved to his new home, obtained furniture from local second-hand shops, and completed all the paperwork and letters required to support his move.
Mr S is now very happy with his new home and says he wishes that he had moved sooner.
