Housing Options & Home Maintenance
Age UK Wiltshire offers free and comprehensive advice on a wide range of subjects.
We can help you identify the problem, explain the choices available and help you decide what you want to do. We may be able to provide individual support if you need further help to resolve the problem.
If you're beginning to struggle at home we can talk about the difficulties you are experiencing and give you information about the options available to you.
Our services
- We can provide information and advice on housing options
- We can explain how to access help to keep you independent at home, such as accessing aids/equipment
- We can provide information and help to understand decisions about your housing arrangements
- Signposting to specialist housing advice for more complex queries such as homelessness, repairs
How we deliver the service
- Telephone advice
- Email advice
- Face to face appointments
- Information guides and factsheets
Our Resources
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Age UK Information Guides and Factsheets
Age UK produces free information guides and factsheets on a wide range of topics, including home adaptations, benefits, dementia, and advice for carers.
You can find a complete list of guides and factsheets on the Age UK national website.
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Housing Options
There are several housing options available for older people, including rented and private purchase sheltered housing and extra care housing.
For further information about the things to think about when looking for housing you can view the below information guides.
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Home Maintenance
We strongly suggest that you read our Choosing a Reputable Trader Guide when making any selections or decisions about choosing a company or service to help you at home.
Choosing a Reputable Trader Guide (PDF, 283 KB)
Wiltshire Bobby Van Home Security Visits
Common Questions
I would like to understand my housing options e.g. sheltered
There are several housing options available for older people and Age UK's info guide Housing Options(IG08) gives an overview, including rented and private purchase sheltered housing, Almshouses and extra care housing. It can also be helpful to talk through your options with family and friends. This guide has a list of questions to help you think about your current home and how well it suits you – both now and for the future. Further information on housing options is also available from Elderly Accommodation Counsel
Sheltered housing is a common type of specialist housing for older people, where residents receive certain lower-level support services (e.g. emergency alarm system, onsite scheme manager for floating support). It is usually in the form of individual flats or bungalows that share some facilities like a laundry room and social room. You can view a comprehensive database of rented and leasehold sheltered housing schemes nationwide here: www.housingcare.org.uk (click on the accommodation tab and select ‘housing’).
Most rented sheltered housing is allocated through the local authority housing register, together with housing association and social housing properties. Each council has slightly different criteria for accessing sheltered housing which is often based on ‘local connection’, housing need, health and finances. This will be explained in their 'Social Housing Allocation Policy'. In Wiltshire and Swindon someone may still be able to apply for housing that is adapted for a disability, even if they own their current home or have savings - please refer to the council's allocation policy. Wiltshire council housing register: 0300 456 0106 Swindon council housing register : 01793 445500.
Some housing associations may offer properties (‘direct lets’) outside of the housing register, usually where they have been unable to allocate them via the register and you can contact local Housing Associations to check this.
Purchasing Sheltered housing is possible through estate agents and housing developers - generally these are ‘leasehold’ so there may be additional service charges and ground rent to pay. Age UK have a factsheet 'Specialist Housing for Older People' with things to consider. The Leasehold Advisory Service gives information on leasehold rights and potential issues
If health reasons are a primary factor in needing to move, a person could request a free occupational therapy assessment at their current property. This could result in up to £1000 of aids and equipment provided to make it more suitable for their needs. If the assessment identifies that the current housing is not suitable then this could add weight to an application for sheltered housing. Supporting medical evidence from a GP or consultant can also be helpful. There is a non-means-tested benefit called Attendance Allowance (IG49) to help with the extra costs of having a long-term health condition or disability and people may be entitled to a free care needs assessment from the local authority adult social care team to get some aids and equipment fitted free of charge or other support. You can read more about these in Age UK’s guide Getting help at home (IG23). To request a free care needs assessment contact:
- Wiltshire Council Adult Social Care: 0300 456 0111
- Swindon Borough Council Adult Social Care: 01793 445 500
Resources:
Direct lettings with housing associations - AUKW info list
List of Almshouses in Wiltshire - AUKW info list
EAC / HousingCare factsheets - housing options and moving in with family etc.
EAC Housing Options for Older People tool (HOOP)- online questionnaire to guide you and provide further advice
I am thinking of moving into a care home
Moving into a care home is a big decision and a good starting point in arranging support is contacting the council’s adult social care team to request a free care needs assessment. This is an assessment of a person’s ‘eligible needs’ and can help because it provides a report of what the needs are and how these could be met (a care plan) and the cost of meeting the needs (a personal budget amount), which can be a good basis for arranging care and support such as equipment, care package or residential care home placement.
Some people are eligible for some local authority funding towards care costs. A person’s financial contribution towards their care costs is calculated from their individual finances using rules outlined in the Care Act 2014 and most people need to pay something towards their care. If you have more than £23,250 in capital you may need to pay all your care costs as a ‘self funder’. In certain circumstances care costs may be met through NHS Continuing Health Care Funding (NHS CHC) which is not means-tested. There is more information about arranging and funding this type of care in Age UK's factsheet Finding, choosing and funding a care home (FS29)
If you have an informal carer, like a partner, they can ask for their own Carer's Assessment to get help.
- Wiltshire Council Adult Social Care: 0300 456 0111
- Swindon Borough Council Adult Social Care: 01793 445 500
If you own a property there are particular rules and schemes to consider which are explained in Age UK's Factsheet Property and paying for residential care (FS38)
For self-funders of care, the Money Helper Service has a page on self-funding your long term care with other options to consider. It is important to be aware of deprivation of assets rules in case you need local authority funding in the future.
We understand that arranging and funding residential care can be complex and we can give further advice on specific enquiries.
Resources:
NHS choices database of care homes (with CQC ratings)
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Wiltshire Council Care Services Directory Care Quality Commission (CQC) - reports on quality standards of care homes Which? Cost of care and eligiblity checker tool - to compare estimated costs of care home fees by area Care Home Selection - care agency and care home finders service (free and independent) |
I am concerned about fire safety or security at home
Bobby Van Tel: 01380 861155 Offer free home security checks across Wiltshire for older people and those who are otherwise vulnerable or disadvantaged. They can also fit security equipment including keysafes. |
Wiltshire and Dorset Fire Service Tel: 0800 038 2323 Offer free 'Safe and Well' home visits across Wiltshire to help you keep safe and healthy at home. Can check and fit smoke alarms where required. |
I would like to improve the energy efficiency of my home e.g. boiler or insulation
Warm & Safe Wiltshire Tel: 0800 038 5722 are a local service provided by local councils and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service, in partnership with Centre for Sustainable Energy, to deliver a comprehensive free energy advice service for Wiltshire and Swindon residents.The service offers: • Advice on eligibility for various energy grants • Advice on insulation, heating and draft proofing and guidance on resolving damp and condensation issues • Guidance on heating systems and controls • Advice on understanding your fuel bills, managing fuel debt and switching energy suppliers
We produce a Spread the Warmth leaflet - information on local and national schemes relating to improving energy efficiency, extra money for heating costs and energy saving advice.
Age UK’s info guide Save Energy Pay Less (IG30) has tips to reduce costs and use energy more efficiently.
I have a housing problem
Age UK Wiltshire do not provide specialist advice on housing repairs and issues.
Shelter are a national housing charity that can provide free housing advice.
Wiltshire Law Centre provide free legal advice relating to housing matters to Wiltshire and Swindon residents.
The Elderly Accommodation Counsel have useful factsheets and a helpline for housing related queries.
The Leasehold Advisory Service gives information on leasehold rights and potential issues
Resources
Age UK Info Guide - Homelessness | |
Can't find what you're looking for?
We provide free, confidential and impartial advice on a wide range of topics and have created some frequently asked questions to cover the things we get asked about most often.