Extra care housing
Living in an extra care housing development gives you the ability to live the way you want, in a stylish apartment that is available to buy, rent or have as a shared ownership (part buy/part rent). Most schemes have onsite bistros, hairdressers, craft rooms and social areas.
Extra care housing provides you with the opportunity to live independently in your own home with 24-hour on-site staffing and an emergency pull cord response system, should you need it. You are required to pay other housing charges that come with communal living and a £6 per apartment charge applies if you wish to benefit from the reassurance of the pull cord system.
Are you eligible?
Schemes accept applicants from individuals aged 55 and above. Your application form will be triaged by a Social Care Professional. Your health, care and housing needs will be taken into consideration, and you may require a further assessment of your care and support needs.
Before being allocated an extra care place, a social care worker will discuss your needs with you (we call this an assessment) and agree what help and support you may need. Once you have an assessed need you may be eligible for care or support in line with the assessment. If you are assessed as needing care and support, you will be required to complete a financial assessment to determine how much you will pay towards the cost of your care.
Allocations are made through an Allocations Panel. They will be representatives from Cheshire West and Chester Council, Housing and our Contracted Care Providers. This panel will prioritise and allocate apartments based on an individual's care, support and housing needs.
More information
If you have been assessed as needing care and support the onsite team can help you with personal care tasks, such as washing, dressing and assistance with medication. They can also support you in meal and drink preparation.
All apartments are fitted with telecare equipment at a cost of £6 a week per apartment. This service offers residents and families peace of mind that immediate support is available in the event of an emergency. If you don’t want access to this service, you will be able to opt out during your sign up process.
In an emergency situation where you need to pull the cord or press your pendant, the on-site care team can respond to you immediately, assess the situation and call emergency services or your GP if required. They will also make you comfortable whilst you wait for the appropriate service and will stay with you, make sure your surroundings are safe, reassure you and contact your next of kin, relative or friend.
A varied and interesting programme of social, cultural and physical activities is on offer to all residents. Many extra care housing sites also have facilities such as hairdressers and a bistro (charges for use apply).
There will be a mixture of people in each scheme with varying degrees of care and support needs. This will include people who are presently independent but will benefit from the assurance of an extra care setting; people with moderate needs; and people with higher care needs who may otherwise have to live in residential care. If your needs change while you live in an extra care housing scheme you can be re-assessed to either increase or decrease the care and support services provided to you.
We have schemes available across the borough in communities near you, if you are interested in applying please see below.