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Can adapting the homes of older people and providing assistive technology pay its way?

Age and Ageing

Author: Lansley, P., McCreadie, C., Tinker, A.
Year: 2004
Type: Journal Article

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Adaptations and assistive technology (AT) have an important role in enabling older people to remain in their own homes. OBJECTIVE: To measure the feasibility and cost of adaptations and AT, and the scope for these to substitute and supplement formal care. DESIGN: Detailed design studies to benchmark the adaptability of 82 properties against the needs of seven notional users. SETTING: Social rented housing sector. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measures of the adaptability of properties, costs of care, adaptations and AT, and relationships between these costs. RESULTS: The adaptability of properties varies according to many design factors and the needs of occupiers. The most adaptable properties were ground floor flats and bungalows; the least were houses, maisonettes and flats in converted houses. Purpose-built sheltered properties were generally more adaptable than corresponding mainstream properties but the opposite was the case for bungalows. Adaptations and AT can substitute for and supplement formal care, and in most cases the initial investment in adaptations and AT is recouped through subsequently lower care costs within the average life expectancy of a user. CONCLUSION: Appropriately selected adaptations and AT can make a significant contribution to the provision of living environments which facilitate independence. They can both substitute for traditional formal care services and supplement these services in a cost-effective way.


Further Details

Publish Dates Nov
Author Address University of Reading, Reading, UK. p.r.lansley@reading.ac.uk
Full Title Age and Ageing
Pages 571-6
Volume 33
Issue 6
ISBN/ISSN 0002-0729
Accession Number 20.03.06
Research Notes Electronic copy added 22/08/2013
Keywords Oldermodificationageing in placedesignUnited Kingdom

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