Housing and Support for Older People

Housing choices guide

This guide has been produced jointly by West Oxfordshire District Council and Age UK Oxfordshire to give some basic information about housing options available:

Housing Choices guide

Housing for older people

There are a number of housing association complexes in the District where self contained, rented flats and bedsits are grouped around a residents' lounge or common room with laundry and other communal facilities available. There is an alarm system to enable residents to call for help in an emergency.

Schemes are located in Witney, Carterton, Chipping Norton, Eynsham, Woodstock, Charlbury, Bampton, Burford, Long Hanborough, Aston and Shipton under Wychwood.

These complexes used to be referred to as 'sheltered housing' but there is no longer a warden on site. Planned day time and emergency support is available to aid independence where this is needed.

'Extra care' housing offers more support to residents than 'sheltered housing'. Accommodation is self contained and grouped around communal facilities. Care as well as support is available to persons who need it.

There are no schemes in West Oxfordshire at present but new schemes will be completed in Milton under Wychwood and Witney during 2013. The flats will be a mix of rented, shared ownership and discounted sale units.

Preference is given to re-housing persons aged 55 or over either living in West Oxfordshire or wanting to come to this area for support from close relatives.

To apply for accommodation you should Register for Housing If you are already a tenant of a housing association and are resident in the District, you will need to complete a transfer application form.

If you require any further information please contact: Housing Services or Tel 01993 861010

Helping you stay in your own home

The Home Improvement Agency has been set up to help elderly or disabled home owners or tenants to remain in their own homes. We can help with advice and guidance in respect of repairs, improvements or adaptations to your property including applying for a grant if appropriate.

Small repairs

The Home Improvement Agency also offers a Small Repairs Service for carrying out repairs such as replacing tap washers or broken glass, fitting door and window locks, minor electrical work, installing smoke detectors, fitting keysafes or repairing woodwork. They cannot however carry out large scale decorating or gardening work, gas work or electrical work. The service is available to;

Anyone over 60, or with a disability
Homeowners and private tenants
Residents within the West Oxfordshire area

Further information is on the Home Improvement Agency page or by telephoning 01993 861000.

Oxfordshire County Careline

Oxfordshire County Careline is a new service provided by Community Voice Limited, which enables vulnerable people to remain independent, reduces risks of injury and ensures an immediate response in case of illness, accident or any other incident in the home which could affect their wellbeing.

As part of an agreed support package there are two levels of service:

Call Monitoring
Provision of a light weight alarm button which is worn around your neck and works in your home and garden. When pressed the pendant will send a signal to a control centre which is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Mobile Response and support
In addition to the call monitoring service, this offers 24 hour response to emergency calls and agreed routine support visits when needed.

An assessment will be undertaken to ensure that the service is suitable for you.

There may be a cost payable for this service - a financial assessment will be completed to establish what, if any, contribution to the cost you will need to make.

Further Information

For Further information or to apply contact Community Voice by telephoning on 0870 005 6411 or by email to enquires@communityvoice.org.uk

Magna Careline

Magna Careline provides a light-weight alarm button on a cord which is worn around your neck and works in your home and garden. When pressed, the pendant will send a signal to a control centre. Your details are displayed on a computer screen, whereby a trained member of staff will contact your friends and family.

Magna Careline provides reassurance for those who are vulnerable because of being older or less able or who just need some support in their independence.

For further information can be obtained from the Magna website www.magnacareline.org.uk or by telephoning their Witney office on 01993 764541.

Abbeyfield UK

Abbeyfield houses provide Supported Sheltered housing. The houses are either purpose built or adapted from existing buildings with added facilities to make them suitable. A typical supported sheltered house offers;

Well maintained family sized houses.
A house manager.
No cooking, bills or repairs to worry about.
Freedom to come and go as you please.
A balance of privacy, support and security.
The freedom to furnish and decorate your room to your taste.
A friendly and supportive environment.
Professional staff on hand to provide emergency assistance through a call alarm system.
No strict rules other than those of common courtesy.

Who is Abbeyfield for?

Anyone over 55 years of age who would enjoy living in a house with a group of other residents and is sufficiently mobile. Abbeyfield is open to all, preference is normally given to Applicants in greatest need. There is no upper age limit.

Abbeyfield have one house in West Oxfordshire.

Contact Details

If you would like to arrange a visit to the Old Bakehouse or are interested in finding out more or would like an application form, please contact:

Tel:01608 676652
Email: m.campbell@abbeyfield.com

or contact their head office at:

Abbeyfield UK
Abbeyfield House
53 Victoria Street
St Albans
AL1 3UW

Tel: 01727 857536
Fax: 01727 846168
Website: www.abbeyfielduk.com

Homesharing

It can offer you:

help with household tasks such as cooking, shopping, cleaning, gardening and caring for pets
money-saving by not having to pay for services
companionship and friendship
security (for example, having someone in the house at night)
reassurance for your family and friends who can't be there
a chance to meet new and different people.

For more information

Contact Victoria Harwood, the Homeshare Co-ordinator on 01235 469547

Email: victoria.harwood@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Web: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/Homeshare

Age UK Oxfordshire

You can also obtain additional information and advice by going to www.ageuk.org.uk/oxfordshire or by contacting them on their information line on 0844 8870005.

You can also obtain additional information at:

www.housingcare.org