Knowledge bank

Download

Staying healthy in later life

The key to a happy later life is to remain fit and healthy in mind and body, so you can continue to have a zestful sense of purpose, and remain an active member of your family and community.

At Bupa, we are dedicated to helping everyone find their very own kind of healthy, because that can mean completely different things to different people. So whatever healthy means to you, we can give you all the help and support you need to find it your way.

And that’s why we’ve put this guide together; it’s full of tips and advice from Bupa experts and health professionals to help you stay in the best possible physical and mental shape, and make the most of everything you do.

Download

Formation of Residents Associations

Goldsborough Estates supports the role of democratically run Residents Associations and we are happy to work with them for the better management of the developments where we provide management services. The attached note, prepared by the ARHM, describes good practice for the formation and running of Residents' Associations.

Goldsborough Estates supports the role of democratically run Residents Associations and we are happy to work with them for the better management of the developments where we provide management services.

Residents Associations can play a useful role in the smooth running of a retirement housing scheme. That role is recognised in legislation that gives residents rights to consultation.

Recognition of Residents Associations is in Schedule 19 of the Housing Act 1980 as amended by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and 1987. Leaseholders can apply to a Rent Assessment Panel for a certificate of recognition of their Association if the Association has a membership of 60% or more of the owners, a proper constitution and elected officials.

The Association of Retirement Housing Managers (ARHM) Government approved Code of Practice, in chapter 12 states that managers should recognise an Association with 51% or more of owners in membership, where the Association has a proper constitution and properly elected officials.

The attached note prepared by the ARHM describes good practice for the formation and running of Residents' Associations.

Download

Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 - The Right to Manage

The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 provides a right for leaseholders to force the transfer of the landlord’s management functions to a special company set up by them – the right to manage company.

The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 provides a right for leaseholders to force the transfer of the landlord’s management functions to a special company set up by them – the right to manage company. The right was introduced, not just as a means of wresting control from bad landlords, but also to empower leaseholders, who generally hold the majority of value in the property, to take responsibility for the management of their block.

The process is relatively simple. The landlord’s consent is not required, nor is any order of court. There is no need for the leaseholders to prove mismanagement by the landlord. The right is available, whether the landlord’s management has been good, bad or indifferent.

Download

Lifetime Neighbourhoods

As we grow older we are more likely to spend more time at home, and where we live is an important determinant of our well-being. However, it is increasingly recognised that it is not just our homes, but also the neighbourhoods where we live that have a significant role in keeping us well and independent as we grow older.

Recognising the importance of neighbourhood as a determinant of well-being in later life and its crucial role in supporting older people’s independence, the Department for Communities and Local Government commissioned the Centre for Housing Policy at the University of York to explore and develop the idea of a ‘lifetime neighbourhood’, and search out and present examples of how the idea has been taken forward in different parts of the country. The Commission for Rural Communities has also had an input into report.

Download

ARHM Code of Practice for England

The ARHM Code of Practice for England.

The ARHM Code of Practice for England, which was approved by the Government under the Leasehold, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, aims to promote best practice in the management of leasehold retirement housing, regardless of whether the services are provided by private companies or housing associations. It not only sets out the statutory obligations that apply to the management of leasehold properties, but also sets out additional requirements which should be followed as a matter of good practice. The Code of Practice forms a benchmark for Leasehold Valuation Tribunals in the exercise of their role in relation to the management of retirement leasehold properties. This makes the code an extremely useful source of reference for managers, and also for leaseholders as it provides clarification around the level of service they can expect to receive.

Download

ARHM Code of Practice for Scotland

Code of Practice for Scotland was launched by Alex Neil MSP, the Housing and Communities Minister for the Scottish Government on 26 October 2009.

Download

ARHM Code of Practice for Wales

ARHM Code of Practice for Wales.

The Code of Practice for Wales was successfully launched by Jocelyn Davies AM, the Deputy Minister for Housing at the Senedd in Cardiff on 22 November 2010.

Download

Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation (HAPPI) report published

The high-profile Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation (HAPPI) was established in June 2009 to tackle the following question: “What further reform is needed to ensure that new build specialised housing meets the needs and aspirations of the older people of the future?”

The high-profile Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation (HAPPI) was established in June 2009 to tackle the following question:

“What further reform is needed to ensure that new build specialised housing meets the needs and aspirations of the older people of the future?”

The panel focused on:

Improving the quality of life of our ageing population by influencing the availability and choice of high quality, sustainable homes and neighbourhoods
Challenging the perceptions of mainstream and specialised housing for older people, for existing and future generations
Raising the aspirations of older people to demand higher quality, more sustainable homes
Spreading awareness of the possibilities offered through innovative design of housing and neighbourhoods

The report outlines innovative housing examples from across England that respond to a variety of care needs such as:

Older people controlling the housing processes
Issues regarding space, light and accessibility
A shared sense of purpose
The idea of being part of a community

Download

Evaluation of the extra care housing initiative: PSSRU technical report

This paper provides substantial technical analysis of the evidence base relating to the process and impact of the DH's Extra Care Housing Fund and the resultant implications for new approaches to providing accommodation and care for older people.

This paper provides substantial technical analysis of the evidence base relating to the process and impact of the DH's Extra Care Housing Fund and the resultant implications for new approaches to providing accommodation and care for older people.

Download

Improving housing with care choices for older people - an evaluation of extra care housing - December 2011

An independent evaluation of 19 extra care housing schemes that were part-funded by the Department of Health.

An independent evaluation of 19 extra care housing schemes that were part-funded by the Department of Health (DH) has concluded that such housing can improve older people's health and wellbeing and offer them improved choice and independence. It offers a potential viable alternative to residential care for some older people and can produce savings for both the NHS and social care services.
The DH's £227m Extra Care Housing Fund helped produce more than 5,000 units of accommodation - the single largest investment in specialist housing for older people in England.

Download