Agenda item

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting evidence in line with Session 2 of the Board’s Inquiry into Older People’s Housing.

The Head of scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report in line with session two of the Board’s Inquiry into Older People’s Housing.  The session aimed to focus on the following areas:

• Issues surrounding affordable housing for older people;
• Ensuring that older people had a safe and secure environment to live in, with a sense of belonging to and participating in communities;
• The role and development of Assistive Technology, Telecare and Telehealth services in promoting the capacity of older people to live independently;
• Problems relating to fuel poverty and older people.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

• Liz Ward – Disability Service Manager
• Tim O’Shea – Head of Commissioning, Adult Social Services
• Mark Phillott – Commissioning Manager, Adult Social Services,
• Paul Langford, Chief Housing Services Officer
• Alan Jones, Fuel Savers Manager
• Susan Chesters, Chair of the Leeds Older People’s Forum
• Caroline Starkey, Deputy Manager of the Leeds Older People’s Forum
• Bill Rollinson, Director of Care and Repair Leeds and Member of the Leeds Older People’s Forum

Liz Ward addressed the meeting and informed the Board of the Leeds Telecare Service.  She gave examples of the kinds of equipment and packages that were available, such as falls sensors and fire and carbon monoxide detectors.  The Telecare Service was not intended to replace personal support but to supplement other support mechanisms available. The following issues were discussed in relation to Leeds Telecare Services:

• Individuals would be assessed to ascertain the need for Telecare equipment and that there is a  target of 7 days for supplying such equipment. Emergency situations eg, individuals being discharged from hospital are given priority.  It was explained that there are some items of telecare equipment which are not kept in stock and may take longer to supply.
• Engagement with the EASEL scheme regarding new buildings and supply of Telecare services.
• That Telecare equipment was provided at no cost to the users. The only element of the service which is subject to charging, under the council’s fairer charging policy, is the mobile response service for people who do not have two key holders who can respond in an emergency.
• Arrangements for response to sensor alerts which are usually through the CareRing response centre although in some situations people have telecare sensors which can alert people living in the same household.

The Board was informed about rises in the local elderly population.  It was anticipated that there would be a rise by 20% of over 55’s and 40% of over 85’s by 2020.  This would have an impact on the kind of housing that was required in Leeds and the supply of accessible homes and lifetime homes was a main issue of the Leeds Housing Strategy.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• More co-ordination was needed with transport providers, healthcare providers, shops and other services.  It was recognised that partnership work was important and Health and Social Care involvement would feature.
• How to support people living in private sector housing and to ensure that private sector landlords are fulfilling all their responsibilities.
• The role of the voluntary sector in Leeds.
• How to inform older people of the choices available to enable them in order to make informed decisions about their future housing support needs.
• To ensure all older people are aware of eligibility for improved heating and insulation to help address the problems of fuel poverty.
• The increase in the number of older people with learning disabilities and mental health problems.
• Support for people in fuel poverty.  There were 21,000 referrals in the past year, 7,500 of these being from people of a pensionable age.  Leeds had a high proportion of winter deaths and measures had been taken to address this.  There was a need to highlight this with those responsible for housing provision and groups such as those with COPD would be targeted. 
• Social isolation – this was deemed a key issue in relation to housing provision and social inclusion was being promoted as a priority area. The Leeds Older People’s Forum had provided training on tackling social isolation that had involved housing staff.  Concern was expressed about older people living alone in private accommodation and it was recognised social isolation also affected those in shared and sheltered accommodation
• The choice of people to remain in their homes.  There had been identified issues with under occupation in social housing.  Incentive schemes were available for those in under occupied homes.
• The role of sheltered housing wardens and provision of activities for residents.

RESOLVED – That the evidence provided and discussed be noted in line with session two of the Board’s Inquiry into Older People’s Housing.

(Councillor Rafique left the meeting at 11.35 a.m. during discussion of this item)