ABSTRACT
Meeting the needs of our ageing society requires a number of different housing solutions. The age 65+ population is increasing and this will require appropriately designed housing that can adapt to changing needs. The continuum of care diagram illustrates the variety of older people's housing with general needs housing at the lowest level and care homes for those with dementia at the highest level. An increasing demand for specialist older people's housing is a reflection of people living longer due to a better environment and healthcare. Retirement and extra care housing promotes a resident's independence, increasingly a lifestyle choice, whilst care homes provide security and support to the most vulnerable in the society. The Building Regulations and the National Technical Standards do not define older people's housing. Residents have no tenancy agreement but pay a monthly cost for housing and care provision. Housing for older people is typically considered as flats and therefore typically operates a stay put fire strategy.
