Housing and care options for older people in Wigan Angela Durkin, Senior Housing Policy Officer, Wigan Council John McArdle, Chief Officer, Age UK Wigan Borough

Strategic Background “Connecting Housing with Care” To address the emerging demographic trend of an ageing population To deliver care more efficiently to deliver savings to the Council’s care budget To develop a wider range of suitable housing for people with long term care needs – better use of existing accommodation and build new To raise awareness and make it easier to access these options

Housing Needs of Older People 26% of people on the Wigan Housing Register are aged 60 or over. In 2012, there were 8306 visits to the FirstStop website from people living in the borough and 32 telephone enquiries. 77 people aged 60 or over accessed Wigan’s Housing Advice and Prevention Service last year. Increase in complex needs amongst the older population due to lifestyles.

Raising Awareness Wigan Citizen’s Panel survey about ageing in Dec % of over 65s had looked into options available to them. 50% had thought about ageing but not done anything about it. 40% had not considered the issue of what options would be available to them as they age.

Cont.. Top things that would help in making decisions: Access to information, explanations of options. Personal financial advice, costs of services and affordability. Recommendations from service users Knowledgeable staff.

What’s driving us locally? Longstanding partnership working Recognising the current challenges and need to be more proactive Clear information and engagement with older people The need to be honest about the resources available across all sectors Manage demand and expectations

Our Joint Action Plan Raise awareness of housing, care and support issues and the need to plan ahead. Ensure that a range of good quality information is available though a variety of means. To offer tailored advice and support to older people to make timely choices over their current or future housing related needs. Ensure that staff in the council, health and voluntary organisations have the skills and knowledge to discuss these issues with older people and their families.

What have we done? Information and advice events Partnership working Over 30 stalls Entertainment Workshops

Cont… “Should I stay or should I go” workshops for older people. “Housing Choices in later life” training for front line staff Housing options leaflets Website information Bid to FirstStop for Older People’s Housing and Care Options Caseworker

Key Message Consider your housing and care options Plan early Talk to family and friends Find out what’s available in your area Think about what you can afford Get help and advice

Age UK Housing and Care Options Caseworker Opportunity to bid to EAC/Firststop to become 1 of 15 projects across England delivering housing and care options information and advice in a joined up way Margaret came into post on 1 st October 2013 –basic awareness –single contact signposting/information –in depth casework

Aims of the service promoting a joined up approach between agencies and within services. delivering a comprehensive, timely and appropriate response determined by objective assessment of a person’s need and circumstances. putting the older person in control, and seeking to achieve a balance between their housing situation and the rest of their life. establishing the holistic, multi agency nature of assessment and support. and, finally, demonstrating value for money.

Partnership working Project Board – meets bi-monthly. Representation from housing and social care staff. Referrals protocol. Joint working on individual cases. Information/ community events.

Early findings Vulnerably housed clients, potential homelessness amongst older people is significant. Financial difficulties exacerbate housing issues for this age group. Chaotic lifestyles of some clients, lack of focus on housing difficulties. Lots of services but difficult to navigate through.

Where do we go from here? Project funded for 18 months, until March Evaluation ongoing, supported by Cambridge Centre for Planning and Housing Research. Demonstrating significant potential savings and improved outcomes for clients. First anniversary approaching, event to gauge support for future funding/ mainstreaming the service. Difficulty of certainty in the current financial climate.