Housing Improvements

The London School of Economics has estimated the public and private value of interventions (from grab rails to stair lifts and shower rooms) as £579 per recipient per annum in reduced demand for health and social care services and a further £1,522 per annum worth of improvements to quality of life for the recipient.

The Department of Health estimates that around one third of older people aged 65 and above will suffer a fall each year, with 2% of falls resulting in a hip fracture. Around half of those aged 80 and above will fall in a given year. Research shows that adults lacking necessary adaptations were between 1.5 and 2.8 times more likely to suffer a fall than those where interventions were in place.  Falls can lead to hospitalisation or the need to move into permanent care.  The fear of falls alone has been shown to lead to increased demand for care provision.

In July 2016, Habinteg and Papworth Trust published a report The Hidden Housing Market. Using research conducted by the London School of Economics (LSE) and Ipsos Mori, the report highlights some of the challenges facing disabled people around accessible housing, and those facing housing providers to meet their needs.

Somerset My Home, My Life

Launched in October 2015,  this service aims to help people get the equipment and home improvements they need to help them stay independent and live in a place of their choice.

The service is funded by Mendip District Council, Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset County Council, Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Taunton Deane Borough Council and West Somerset Council.

The Community Equipment Service is provided by Millbrook Healthcare and can range from simple equipment for daily living such as walking frames to more complex equipment such as hoists to help with daily life.

The Home Improvement Agency Service is provided by Aster Living to assist people to repair, improve and adapt their home so they can maintain their independence. This can be adaptations such as handrails or level access showers.

For more information, see the Somerset My Home, My Life website.

Aster Care and Repair provided the majority of interventions for 2012/13 across Somerset (except South Somerset which has its own Home Improvement Agency). The services provided by Aster Care and Repair are as below:

Delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG)

A comprehensive service from referral to completion which includes:

• Benefits and funding advice;
• Home assessments for further hazards (e.g. trips and falls hazards);
• Repairs or energy efficiency improvements;
• Surveying the home and producing specifications and drawings;
• Applying for funding;
• Appointing approved contractors and overseeing the work;
• Signing off the work with the customer; seeking customer feedback.

For 2012/13, there were 531 DFG enquiries and 181 DFG delivered and signed off in people’s homes.

Handyperson Service

This service provides a heavily discounted handyperson service (£10ph plus materials for benefits recipients; £15ph for non-benefits recipients) including provision of materials at cost (often 40% cheaper than retail due to economies of scale).

There is also the provision of a Hardship Fund if hazards are identified and person is unable to pay.

For 2012/13, 4305 handyperson jobs were successfully completed across the 5 Districts.

Home from Hospital Service

This service is funded by NHS and Somerset County Council and provides essential repairs to peoples’ homes prior to, or following their discharge from hospital. This service ensures their homes are safe and suitably adapted, preparing the home in advance to ensure suitability for the person being released from hospital. Aster case workers liaise with acute care workers to deliver this service. 

For 2012/13, 228 Home from Hospital cases were successfully completed.

Gardening and Painting / Decorating Service

A relatively new service funded by external bids and client charges (same rate as handyperson service).

Independent Living Team (ILT) / Reablement Service

This is not provided by Aster, however they play an important role. The Reablement Service is a referral service by GPs, social workers, Occupational Therapists, carers etc. who have identified that someone is in need of certain measures in their homes to prevent people going into care, hospital or are potentially in danger. The service is designed to keep people independent for as long as possible and prevent more intensive and costly care for people.

Somerset County Council Adult Social Care funds the service and fits grab rails, ramps etc. utilising their own budget and a contract with Mediquip. However, much of the work needed such as door widening, moving furniture, bringing beds downstairs, repairs etc. is commissioned to the Aster Handyperson Service.

Homefinder Somerset is seeking to match re-lets with adaptations & need and will be introducing some new functionality within the Homefinder system by mid 2014 that will enable landlords to identify adaptations that their properties have and we can then match those adaptations with applicants that need those adaptations that are on the register.

The number of applications for Disabled Facilities Grants in Sedgemoor and Taunton Deane has steadily risen over the last couple of years. Much of this is dictated by the aging population and the pressures to assist people to remain in their own homes. The ILT have had a considerable impact in Taunton Deane and South Somerset, seeing a drop in the number of Recommendations from Occupational Therapists. However, those that are coming through the system have increasing complex needs, particularly the children’s cases which tend to be acute. There is an ever increasing need for support in the home but it is hoped that ILT will meet this need.

Housing register (Homefinder Somerset) applicants that require adaptations (as at 02/02/2014)

Applicants waiting for adaptations:

Number of applicants interested in accommodation with wheelchair access:

Applicants that have applied for adaptations: