Case Study: Housing - Extra care housing - "The best move
I ever made"
John Smith was a tenant who lived happily in one of CHS’ sheltered housing
schemes. As his health began to fail and his care needs increased, we
arranged a move to one of our Extra Care Homes. John spent his last six
months at Richard Newcombe Court, pottering in the communal garden,
ensuring the greenhouse plants were watered and producing tomatoes,
cucumbers, lettuce, peppers and chillies for use by the cooks, as well as
growing sunflowers to brighten up the garden. In this way, all the tenants
benefitted from his hobby.
He often told staff that this last move was ‘the best move I ever made’. He
soon made himself at home; he was a one-man welcoming committee for all
new tenants who moved in and went out of his way to make sure they also
felt at home. This move from sheltered housing to Extra Care ensured that
John could continue to live independently in his own flat despite increasing
illness and frailty. With support from our care team there was no need to
move to residential care and as his illness progressed we were able to
increase his care package and the range of services accessed to reflect this.
The daily home cooked meal, part of the Extra Care service, ensured that his
nutritional needs were met, vital when you are unwell, and the social
interaction of a shared meal was the highlight of his day.
Having a mix of housing services available to older people allows CHS to offer
the right care and support package at the right time, with the flexibility to
adapt to changing personal circumstances. CHS also ensures that, subject to
County Council funding, our Extra Care schemes can provide a home for life,
however much care people need.