Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gxg78 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-29T11:52:22.260Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Does the design of extra-care housing meet the needs of the residents? A focus group study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 October 2011

SARAH BARNES ,
JUDITH TORRINGTON ,
ROBIN DARTON ,
JACQUETTA HOLDER ,
ALAN LEWIS ,
KEVIN McKEE ,
ANN NETTEN  and
ALISON ORRELL
SARAH BARNES*
Affiliation:
School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
JUDITH TORRINGTON
Affiliation:
School of Architecture, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
ROBIN DARTON
Affiliation:
Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.
JACQUETTA HOLDER
Affiliation:
Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.
ALAN LEWIS
Affiliation:
School of Architecture, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
KEVIN McKEE
Affiliation:
Dalarna University and Dalarna Research Institute, Falun, Sweden.
ANN NETTEN
Affiliation:
Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU), University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.
ALISON ORRELL
Affiliation:
School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
*
Address for correspondence: Sarah Barnes, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield S1 4DA, UK. E-mail: s.barnes@sheffield.ac.uk
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The study objective was to explore the views of residents and relatives concerning the physical design of extra-care housing. Five focus groups were conducted with residents in four extra-care schemes in England. One focus group was carried out with relatives of residents from a fifth scheme. Schemes were purposively sampled to represent size, type, and resident tenure. Data were analysed thematically using NVivo 8. Two over-arching themes emerged from the data: how the building supports the lifestyle and how the building design affects usability. Provision of activities and access to amenities were more restrictive for residents with disabilities. Independent living was compromised by building elements that did not take account of reduced physical ability. Other barriers to independence included poor kitchen design and problems doing laundry. Movement around the schemes was difficult and standards of space and storage provision were inadequate. The buildings were too hot, too brightly lit and poorly ventilated. Accessible external areas enabled residents to connect with the outside world. The study concluded that, while the design of extra-care housing meets the needs of residents who are relatively fit and healthy, those with physical frailties and/or cognitive impairment can find the building restrictive resulting in marginalisation. Design across the dependency spectrum is key in meeting the needs of residents. Inclusive, flexible design is required to benefit residents who are ageing in situ and have varying care needs.

Keywords

extra-care housingolder peopledesign
Type
Articles
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 32 , Issue 7 , October 2012 , pp. 1193 - 1214
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Barker, P., Barrick, J. and Wilson, R. 2000. Building Sight – A Handbook of Building and Interior Design Solutions to Include the Needs of Visually Impaired People. RNIB, London.Google Scholar
Bernard, M., Bartlam, B., Biggs, S. and Sim, J. 2004. New Lifestyles in Old Age: Health, Identity and Well-being in Berryhill Retirement Village. The Policy Press, Bristol, UK.Google Scholar
Buys, L. R. 2001. Life in a retirement village: implications for contact with community and village friends. Gerontology, 47, 1, 55–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Calkins, M. 2001. Creating Successful Dementia Care Settings. Health Professions Press, Baltimore, Maryland.Google Scholar
Callaghan, L., Netten, A. and Darton, R. 2009. The Development of Social Well-being in New Extra-care Housing Schemes. Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York, UK.Google Scholar
Chalfont, G. E. 2008. Design for Nature in Dementia Care. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London.Google Scholar
Cohen, U. and Day, K. 1993. Contemporary Environments for People with Dementia. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Communities and Local Government 2008. Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods: A National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing Society. Available online at www.communities.gov.uk [Accessed 28 April 2010].Google Scholar
Croucher, K. and Bevan, M. 2010. Telling the Story of Hartfields: A New Retirement Village for the Twenty-first Century. Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York, UK.Google Scholar
Croucher, K., Hicks, L. and Jackson, K. 2006. Housing with Care for Later Life: A Literature Review. Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York, UK.Google Scholar
Croucher, K., Pleace, N. and Bevan, M. 2003. Residents' Views of a Continuing Care Retirement Community. Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York, UK.Google Scholar
Day, K., Carreon, D. and Stump, C. 2000. The therapeutic design of environments for people with dementia: a review of the empirical research. The Gerontologist 40, 4, 397–416.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Department of Health 2010. A Vision for Adult Social Care: Capable Communities and Active Citizens. Available online at www.dh.gov/publications [Accessed 28 April 2010].Google Scholar
Evans, G. W., Kantrowitz, E. and Eshelman, P. 2002. Housing quality and psychological well-being among the elderly population. Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 57B, 4, 381–3.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Evans, S. and Vallelly, S. 2007. Best Practice in Promoting Social Well-being in Extra-care Housing: A literature Review. Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York, UK.Google Scholar
Holmes-Siedle, J. 1996. Barrier-free Design. Architectural Press, London.Google Scholar
Homes and Communities 2009. Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation (HAPPI). Available online at www.homesandcommmunities.gov.uk [Accessed 28 April 2010].Google Scholar
Homes and Communities Agency 2011. Housing Quality Indicators. Available online at http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/hqi [Accessed 3 August 2011].Google Scholar
Imrie, R. and Hall, P. 2001. Inclusive Design. E & FN Spon, London.Google Scholar
Judd, S., Marshall, M. and Phippen, P. 1997. Design for Dementia. Hawker Publications, London.Google Scholar
Kitzinger, J. 1995. Qualitative research: introducing focus groups. British Medical Journal, 311, 229–302.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Laing, & Buisson, 2009. Extra-care Housing UK Market Report 2009. Ninth edition, Laing & Buisson, London.Google Scholar
Lewis, A., Torrington, J., Barnes, S., Darton, R., Holder, J., McKee, K., Netten, A. and Orrell, A. 2010. EVOLVE: a tool for evaluating the design of older people's housing. Housing Care and Support, 13, 3, 36–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morgan, D. L. 1997. Focus Groups as Qualitative Research. Second edition, Sage, Thousand Oaks, California.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nicholson, A., Cameron, C. and Mountford, N. 2008. Design Principles for Extra Care Housing. Care Services Improvement Partnership. Available from http://www.dhcarenetworks.org.uk/_library/Resources/Housing/Housing_advice/Design_Principles_for_Extra_Care_July_2004.pdf [Accessed 28 April 2010].Google Scholar
Owen, T. E. 2006. My Home Life: Quality of Life in Care Homes. Help the Aged, London.Google ScholarPubMed
Parker, C., Barnes, S., McKee, K., Morgan, K., Torrington, J. and Tregenza, P. 2004. Quality of life and building design in residential and nursing homes for older people. Ageing & Society, 24, 6, 941–62.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Robson, D., Nicholson, A. and Barker, N. 1997. Homes for the Third Age. E and FN Spon, London.Google Scholar
Thomas Pocklington Trust 2008. Housing for People with Sight Loss: A Thomas Pocklington Trust Design Guide. Thomas Pocklington Trust, London.Google Scholar
Torrington, J. 1996. Care Homes for Older People. E & FN Spon, London.Google Scholar
Torrington, J., McKee, K., Netten, A., Darton, R. and Barnes, S. 2007–10. EVOLVE: Evaluation of Older People's Living Environments. EPSRC, London.Google Scholar
Utton, D. 2007. Designing Homes for People with Dementia. The Journal of Dementia Care, London.Google Scholar
Vallelly, S., Evans, S., Fear, T. and Means, R. 2006. Opening Doors to Independence: A Longitudinal Study Exploring the Contribution of Extra-care Housing to the Care and Support of Older People with Dementia. Housing 21, London.Google Scholar
Wright, F., Tinker, A., Hanson, J., Wojgani, H. and Mayagoitia, R. 2009. Some social consequences of remodelling English sheltered housing and care homes to ‘extra-care’. Ageing & Society, 29, 1, 135–54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar