Reducing isolation is very important

The words from Sara McKee of older people’s housing provider Anchor trust stating the need to galvanise what is around us, are extremely relevant in ensuring we provide communities for our ageing population amid the pressures of public sector funding cuts.

Among existing services and infrastructure that can be utilised is the valuable resource of sheltered housing, which can make a unique and underrecognised contribution to social inclusion for older people.

Sheltered housing schemes provide purpose-built communities, which create an environment where residents feel valued and included.

Many sheltered housing schemes have communal lounges that are used for social, learning and healthy living activities by residents and the local community, helping to break down inter-generational and cultural barriers in the process.

It is important that we explore a united approach across social and health care and housing providers, as well as community organisations.
Where organisations are moving towards providing a floating or mobile support service, particularly in isolated rural communities, the social inclusion of older people takes on even greater significance.

The February 2008 report by the Communities and Local Government department, Lifetime homes, lifetime neighbourhoods - a national strategy for housing in an ageing society, highlights the importance of sheltered housing, extra care housing and care homes as ‘vibrant community hubs, tackling exclusion and promoting active ageing’. I hope this is recognised in the report by the Centre of Social Justice.

Jo McTavish, chair of ERoSH