This report identifies the elements of high-quality and innovative practice in the provision of home adaptations for older people. It highlights practical examples of local areas that are organising and delivering adaptations effectively.
Living in a suitable home is crucially important to a good later life, and home adaptations can improve the accessibility and usability of a person’s home environment. There is rising demand for home adaptations as people live for longer and increasing numbers of people live with multiple long-term health conditions or experience reductions in mobility.
Home adaptations are a highly effective way of adapting our existing housing stock to better meet the needs of older people. Previous research, commissioned by the Centre for Ageing Better, highlighted the positive and life-changing impact home adaptations can have.
While there has been an increase in national funding for home adaptations, for a variety of reasons this has not resulted in a step change in improved local provision. For a relatively low expenditure, the potential gains are significant, and yet the profile and priority of home adaptation provision in general, and specifically the Disabled Facilities Grant, is limited.
We commissioned Care & Repair England to carry out a ‘call for practice’ to identify practical examples of local areas that are organising and delivering adaptations effectively. This report identifies the elements of high-quality and innovative practice in the provision of home adaptations for older people.
