Ageing in extra-care housing: preparation, persistence and self-management at the boundary between the third and fourth age

Abstract

Extra-care housing (ECH) has been hailed as a potential solution to some of the problems associated with traditional forms of social care, since it allows older people to live independently, while also having access to care and support if required. However, little longitudinal research has focused on the experiences of residents living in ECH, particularly in recent years. This paper reports on a longitudinal study of four ECH schemes in the United Kingdom. Older residents living in ECH were interviewed four times over a two-year period to examine how changes in their care needs were encountered and negotiated by care workers, managers and residents themselves. This paper focuses on how residents managed their own changing care needs within the context of ECH. Drawing upon theories of the third and fourth age, the paper makes two arguments. First, that transitions across the boundary between the third and fourth age are not always straightforward or irreversible and, moreover, can sometimes be resisted, planned-for and managed by older people. Second, that operational practices within ECH schemes can function to facilitate or impede residents’ attempts to manage this boundary.

Nursing Homes and Long Term Care After COVID-19: A New ERA?

“…Multiple surveys suggest that most older adults prefer to remain in their homes as long as possible (14). For people who decide or need to move for health or socio-economic needs, co-housing, sheltered housing or assisted living are valuable alternatives, although these options are not always viable with transitions across the boundary between the third and fourth age and adaptation to increasing care needs proving challenging (15).…”

Older people's perspectives on living in integrated housing and care settings: the case of extra care housing

“…This paper has demonstrated that ECH can support many older people to live as independently as possible, accessing care and support on a permanent or temporary basis when required. Many of the residents reported instances when they had proactively managed the care and support they received demonstrating how ECH can boost individual autonomy (Johnson et al , 2019). It could be argued that such flexibility is available to all older people, irrespective of the type of housing they live in and whether they are self-funders or publicly funded, through the existence of a care market.…”

‘You have got to stick to your times’: Care workers and managers’ experiences of working in extra care housing

“…Data are presented using participant codes, for example SACW1 refers to site A, care worker 1. Findings from analysis of the longitudinal data collected from residents are reported elsewhere (Johnson et al, ).…”