The Ratio of Older People - Term Paper Example

Topic: a briefing paper on customer and neighbourhood services meeting the housing needs of older people Introduction The population of UK comprises of a good amount of the elderly. Even though many old people live healthy and active lives it is a fact that financial stress especially with consideration to housing can be a dilemma. According to the General Household Survey, around half of older people live in their privately owned houses. There is slight difference in demographic with regard to the age range of these old people. The ratio of older people owning their homes decreases with increase in their age. For instance the proportion of older people who are aged eighty five and above is lesser than older people aged sixty to seventy five. (Office for National Statistics, 2007) Moreover, a growing number of older people face accommodation issues. Neighbourhood services and their modification with the passage of time are important for the health and security of the older people. Older people require trouble-free access to grocery stores and supermarkets, clinics and post offices among others. With the ever increasing older population it has become mandatory to ensure better facilities for them. House accommodation is important especially in areas that constitute of very old houses. In localities where housing conditions are bad, old people are generally fearful of any resulting issues. Moreover, such areas are also more crowded than newly developed housing schemes. Extra crowded housing areas result in congestion as well as a low sense of comfort among the older citizens. Many older citizens prefer less noisy areas; not necessarily less crowded though. There is also a need for household repairs in such areas. Many old people feel they can function a lot better if they have the opportunity to employ outside help in their repair works. The potential role of technology can be undertaken at this point by newly emerging housing development schemes to consider providing such alternatives for the older tenants. Even though there are old homes and retirement communities for old people, most old people prefer living in their own homes. They feel that the sense of affinity that they get from their own place cannot be achieved in an old home. Hence in housing associations that are especially targeting old people, one positive outcome of the research conducted by the New Horizons Program 1is that they should consider the various aspirations and needs of old people and then develop subsequent plans for homes accordingly. Houses should be developed in such a manner that they function long-term. Many individuals carry on living in the same home for years. Most people prefer staying in the home that they have grown up. And many people go on to remain a part of the community that they were born in and subsequently grow old in the same place. For such people, a stably structured home is the best option that is located near to basic amenities that are easily accessible. Lifetime Homes For this purpose the initiative of Lifetime Homes has been brought about. The Lifetime Homes concept is a creation of housing experts who have been working on this idea since the early 1990s. These experts have set out sixteen criterions that have to be incorporated into the design of a house for that house to be considered a lifetime home. Moreover, the idea is for these sixteen criterions to be incorporated in the design at the minimal possible cost. These homes are considered effective for the elderly since they keep in mind the needs of the elderly and what would best suit them. Lifetime Homes supports the increasing requirement for preference, plasticity and liberty particularly among the disabled, along with endorsing solicitous housing plan for the rest of the population as well, older people being a prime concern. These design criteria range from car park design to the designing of entrances and hallways to window specifications and ensuring wheel chair accessibility throughout the house. Lifetime Homes is also planning to make it these sixteen criteria a compulsion for any new housing schemes that are to be started any time soon. This will allow for uniformity among all such housing schemes and ensure regular checkups and a more secure and regularized environment. The standards set by Lifetime Homes are easily accessible by home designers and professionals. In fact, individuals are encouraged to get in touch with the idea of Lifetime Homes by visiting their website and exploring the various designs incorporated within the final blueprint of a house. This is a great inititave allowing individuals to be in touch of the house they would be living in before it has even been properly structured. It would also give them something to look forward to. It should be kept in mind that Lifetime Homes provides accommodations for not only ordinary citizens but also for individuals with special needs. Families from all sorts of backgrounds are able to adjust with the design presented by Lifetime Homes. Moreover, older people are paid special attention to, since a large amount of the UK’s population demographic shows the elderly to be a significant part of the UK’s economy. This statistic has made it mandatory for the government to take serious steps for ensuring the welfare of its citizens especially the older community. Lifetime Homes is one such initiative. Knowsley Housing Trust The Knowsley Housing Trust is a nonprofit that has been working to provide high quality and comfortable homes to the residents of Knowsley, Merseyside. Currently, Knowsley Housing Trust is ranked amongst the top twenty five percent of housing associations working in the United Kingdom. Knowsley Housing is working to promote the same standards as set up by Lifetime Homes. At present, it is finishing off with its three hundred million pound housing rehabilitation programme that was aimed at ensuring improvement in the current house structures so that the final houses meet standardized requirements. This programme is set to finish around two years earlier than it was supposed to. Moreover, Knowsley Housing Trust has been in the news for its recognition by the Audit Commission in the year 2007. The inspection carried out by Audit Commission, declared Knowsley Housing Trust a good setup and gave it two stars. Also, the Audit Commission mentioned further improvements that seemed to be in the prospect for Knowsley Housing Trust and KHT is trying its best to raise its standards and come up to that trust. In April of 2009, Knowsley Housing Trust launched Advantage, a package aimed at providing tenants with house support, advice and rewards. This new feature proved to be highly successful with tenants enjoying the benefits that come with Advantage. Tenants have the liberty to call the AXA helpline, free of charge and ask for advice and help whenever they want. Tenants can also use their discount coupons to get products from stores at discounted rates. Also they have the opportunity to enroll in fun filled training programs such as those courses offered at Everton Football Club to young and old. Knowsley Housing Trust also opened a quarterly prize draw for its tenants under this scheme and has given away prizes of worth eight-thousand pounds. Knowsley Housing Trust believes in a community-oriented approach and has been introducing schemes that would help the Knowsley community as a whole. The housing association has been involved in ideas such as asking its tenants to be good neighbours and look out for each other especially on special holidays such as Christmas. The tenants are encouraged to participate in community based activities and ask around for each other. This helps to develop human relationships and allows for a safer and more secure environment within the community. A community that is based on mutual trust and respect can go a long way in ensuring that its goals related to developmental ventures are realized. Moreover, KHT has been in the forefront when recognizing the effort and time put in by individuals wanting to do good for their community. KHT has recognized the work of dedicated women such as Julie Langton to bring a positive change in the lives of youngsters who are waiting to be inspired. Knowsley Housing Trust recently embarked upon the Dream Schemes idea. Dream Schemes is a project that encourages and inspires young volunteers to bring worthwhile change in their respective communities by signing up for community service and running community oriented projects. These projects help young volunteers play an active part in how they can bring meaningful changes within their society without having to rely on outside help. The best thing about such volunteer projects is that they are small scale and practical. Currently, KHT is involved in providing a secure and healthy environment to its older tenants. The older tenants have the chance to get enrolled in health classes, go to day trips, enjoy games such as Bingo, and learn computing and painting among many other such fun-filled activities. KHT wants to provide such an environment where older tenants feel at liberty to do what they want without feeling vulnerable and insecure. Recommendations for Future Schemes Knowsley Housing Trust is still very much a newbie and requires time and energy to take it to the next level. KHT can develop future schemes either on its own or by getting involved with another good housing scheme. The benefit of working with another housing scheme is that KHT will get more ideas about running its current programs in an even more efficient manner. Collaborations are a pathway to greater success. Collaborative efforts allow both parties involved to adopt the most positive and meaningful approaches towards realizing their common goals and shedding harmful practices. The same can be said of collaborative efforts between Knowsley Housing Trust and another housing scheme or nonprofit organization that is more concerned with welfare practices than obtaining healthy revenue. One such collaborative effort can be taken about with Lifetime Homes. Knowsley Housing Trust can ask the experts at Lifetime Homes to look over their current housing development plans and suggest alterations if any are required. The opinion of an expert can go a long way in ensuring stability and safety above all. Moreover, KHT, in lieu of its previous attempts at ensuring customer satisfaction through various community oriented programs and schemes can collaborate with a local business group that is interested in community development. KHT needs to work on the educational sector, especially in relation to children and their learning environment. This can be done by ensuring good quality schools in close proximity to the housing scheme. Maintenance and repair work at such schools may be done at low cost or provided free of service. Moreover, transportation costs could be cut by talking to a local transport service provider and collaborating with them to provide low-cost transport to students. The question of jobs is always there. More jobs need to be developed and provided to the tenants at Knowsley. KHT is already employed in certain schemes that will allow individuals to apply for jobs that they feel suit the services that they have to offer. For the elderly, there should be a system of ensuring their health and safety. KHT believes in the power of the community and what a community is capable of achieving on the whole. KHT should employ volunteers, such as teenagers or young adults who could visit the elderly, especially those who live alone, and provide them with meaningful and enjoyable company a couple of hours every week. This would lead to a more cohesive community at Knowsley as well as allowing young volunteers to get in touch with their elders and respect their values. It would also allow significant dialogue to develop between two very different generations, and might even spark good conversation along with lasting friendships. Also, KHT, on the path of its current trend to provide fun-filled activities to its older citizens should introduce more activities to engage its tenants. Customers currently enjoy such diverse activities and games such as bingo, Olympiads and exercise classes among other things. Bibliography Office for National Statistics. (2007). General Household Survey. London: English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Read More