Helping Older People Remain in Their Own Homes

The housing minister Grant Shapps and communities minister Andrew Stunnell have asked local councils to work on behalf of older people under the New Deal for Older People which offers them more flexibility over their care.

A good model to work from, said Mr Shapps is the FreeSpace project in the London Borough of Redbridge where older residents were encouraged to downsize to more appropriate rented accommodation. He recommended that local councils across the country follow this example of adopting the New Deal for Older People which funds home adaptions.

Mr Shapps said: "Older people who should be enjoying their homes have watched helplessly as their properties have become prisons, and many have been forced to sell their homes and move into residential care."

With the growth in the ageing population - nearly one in five of the total population is expected to be aged 65 or over by 2020 - an increasing number of older people in the UK need assistance in daily living. The new scheme will prove vital in reducing the burden on the care system and will also provide invaluable support to older people leaving hospital.

Mr Shapps has contributed Ł51 million towards Home Improvement Agencies so that they can provide housing advice and services including small home repairs, adaptations such as stair lifts and grab rails, and home safety and security.

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