Housing for Older People

On this page you can find information about the main types of specialist housing for rent for older people.

There is also sheltered housing available to buy. You can contact local estate agents about available schemes. The Elderly Accommodation Counsel website also has a list of properties which are available to buy in the area. For more information about sheltered and retirement housing you can also visit the EROSH website (National consortium for sheltered and retirement housing).

Housing with a community alarm service

This comprises of a range of independent flats and bungalows - some in small blocks, some in large schemes. One and two bedroom accommodation is available. The flats are let with a community alarm service, which gives 24-hour assistance through either a hard-wired connection in your flat or a special telephone unit. A lot of systems are also supplied with a pendant which can be worn to ensure you can summon help wherever you are in your flat.

Most of these properties are eligible for people over 55 years who live alone or as a couple. However the age criteria does vary from scheme to scheme so do check if you think this might be the right option for you.

Sheltered Housing

This housing comes equipped with an alarm service but also provides additional support from either a residential or visiting warden, sheltered housing officer or scheme manager. Their duties vary between different providers but they will usually offer the following services:

• Help newcomers settle in
• Make regular contact with residents with a daily visit where required
• Agree a support plan with each new resident to help them maintain their independence
• Liaise with families and other agencies to ensure residents get any help they need. If a higher level of care is needed staff can help arrange a community care assessment
• Co-ordinate a range of other services coming into the scheme including personal care provided by private or statutory agencies
• Organise aids and equipment
• Deal with emergencies
• Encourage social activities

Sheltered housing usually comprises of flats in blocks, although there are some bungalows. The size of properties range from studios to one bedroom and a few two-bedroom properties.

Schemes do vary. However, in general you will find most of the following features:

• Self-contained flats with their own bathrooms and fitted kitchens
• Communal facilities such as a laundry, communal social rooms, and guest room
• Social and other activities on site
• Security features such as door entry systems
• Warden or scheme manager service
• 24 hour emergency assistance through a connection in each flat to a call centre

To be eligible for sheltered housing you need to be over 60 years (55 for some schemes), usually have an identified support need and live alone or as a couple. Applicants will be visited so that both the applicant and the organisation are sure this type of housing will most suit their needs.

Extra Care Sheltered Housing: This provides additional flexible care to sheltered housing such as domestic help and meals. There is currently one extra care sheltered housing scheme in Oxford.

How to apply

To apply for housing with a community alarm service or sheltered housing you need to complete an application form for the Oxford Register for Affordable Housing. Please see the Housing Register page for more information. For sheltered accommodation you also need to complete a scheme choice form. You can find a list of sheltered schemes for rent in the brochure below.

What will sheltered housing cost?

The charges for sheltered housing are made up of three or four different elements:

1. Rent: This is the charge for the property. The level of all social housing rents is now set by the government and will reflect the size and condition of the property. The rent is eligible for housing benefit if the resident qualifies for this.
2. Service charge: This covers things like cleaning the communal areas, gardening, maintaining and replacing equipment such as laundry equipment, furnishings for the common room, lifts and door entry systems. This charge is also eligible for housing benefit.
3. Support Charge: This is to pay for the cost of the emergency alarm and the support provided by the warden, sheltered housing officer or scheme manager. This can be paid for from Supporting People Grant if the resident qualifies for this.
4. Heating and Hot Water Charge: Some schemes have communal heating and hot water systems and the cost of these is divided between the flats. In this case a charge is made with the rent for this cost. This charge is not eligible for housing benefit and always needs to be paid from the resident's own income.

Residential Care/Nursing Care Homes

This is the housing with the highest level of support for older people with care or nursing services available on site. This type of housing is provided through the County Council's Social and Community Services and applicants need to be assessed by them.

If you want to find out more about residential homes please contact the County Council (please see below for contact details) or a form is available online at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Other services available

To find out more about the Community Alarm Scheme please visit our Community Alarm Scheme page.

To find out more about other services that are available to older people please visit the Other Services Available page.

Page last reviewed 7 Nov 2008