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When staying in your own home becomes no longer feasible, supported tenancies which are offered in partnership with housing departments associations, can offer you that ‘home from home.
Having dementia or living with a memory loss or other mental health difficulties should not take away an individual’s right to live in their own home or in alternative housing in their own community and as part of the community.
Independent supported living houses for people with dementia, was pioneered by Dementia Care Partnership (DCP) in 1993 when the first supported house was set up in Benwell, Newcastle. Adhering to the principle of offering local housing for local people, ordinary houses were developed in ordinary streets closer to where people lived, in a three way partnership. The partnership involves the local authority housing department or housing associations who act as the landlord, social services who act as care managers and DCP who act as the managing agent and care provider.
Individuals who are unable to live in their own homes for whatever reasons are not admitted into care but are re-housed as tenants with tenancy agreements.
They have their own private accommodation and share some facilities with the other tenants. DCP provide 24 hour support and care for the tenants.
By establishing partnerships with local primary care teams (GPs and district nurses), DCP works to a ‘home for life’ philosophy. Although this has not always been possible for everyone due to medical emergencies, for 64% of our clients, a ‘home for life’ has meant just that.
Since 1993 and until 2003, DCP influenced the development of supported housing in Benwell, south west Fawdon, Walkergate, Fenham, and north Gosforth. Learning from each housing development about the importance of certain features which are dementia friendly and enhances better quality of life, DCP influenced a major Ł1m development. This involved the building, in 2003, of five, four tenancy bungalows for people with dementia of all ages and people from the black and minority ethnic communities.
Currently we provide care and support in 13 houses for 47 tenancies and 44 carers.
The criteria for re-housing is that a person
- lives on their own or with a carer who is unable to cope with ongoing care
- has a confirmed diagnosis of dementia
- has expressed their own preference to move into a supported house
- had a multi disciplinary assessment which recommended rehousing to supported housing as the most appropriate move for them
- has tried moving to other settings but has not settled
How do I access this Service?
Referrals for a tenancy are always made by social workers.
Process
When potential tenants are identified for a new house, they are brought together as a group to get to know one another. Support workers are also introduced based on their skills and experiences. Tenants are then ‘matched’ according to personalities, background, interests and relationships they form with one another. A similar matching process also takes place with support workers.
When a potential tenant is identified to be re-housed in a well established house, they are introduced gradually over a one month period. This involves initial introduction, invitation by existing tenants to stay for lunch, spend the day, weekend and so on. Tenants’ views and observations about a potential new tenant are taken seriously.
Monitoring and Review
A tenant’s progress is monitored throughout. However, formal reviews are carried out after a six week period and regularly thereafter involving family members and social workers.
Financing
This varies from house to house.
Benefits to tenants and their carers are that they
- have choice as to tenancies, where they live etc. and better control over their lives
- are reassured because of continuity of care and 24 hour staffing support
- are able to live in houses that very much resemble a family home in an ordinary house in an ordinary street
- are able remain in their local community sustaining existing relationships, interests and hobbies
- are reassured because the support workers are trained to encourage, empower and enable tenants to remain as independent as possible, and
- carers are able to relax, continue with employment, enjoy better health etc. in the knowledge that their relative is happier and in a safe environment
A Carer’s view
“Supported housing for my husband gave me peace of mind. Knowing he is being cared for in a home environment has made such a difference to both of us. Sharing his care has reduced the pressure and has enabled me to move on with my life without feeling that I have lost him”
“I think the overall concept of it is that it is their home and you feel that when you go in. I think the respect that the staff have is obvious…. the gentleness of the whole place. I found a professional calmness in the way the whole place is run... and there is a happy atmosphere. My stomach turns over when I think where he might have been”
(C. Beattie)
For further information about this service, please contact us or
Telephone +44 (0) 191 217 1323.
Selection and allocation policy for supported living houses
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Protocol for supported living tenancies
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