Housing Options, Downsizing, Move On Services

From Staying Put to Moving On: A new role for Home Improvement Agencies

This briefing paper by Foundations highlights the fact that the more choice and control older people can exercise, the better the outcomes in terms of health and wellbeing. In a survey, it found that a third of older people are put off from moving due to the perceived stress involved, but more than one in 10 (11%) would move if support was available. It cites “… ‘forced’ moves, made because older people can no longer cope in their original home, tend not to have positive outcomes.”

The report concludes: “There is a genuine opportunity to allow people to consider housing options unforced by a perceived or actual health crisis but based on their aspirations for a fulfilling life in the medium and long-term. There is no reason that people’s last house should be any less exciting than finding their first.”