Choosing Where to Live

Feeling comfortable where you live can have a big impact on your quality of life.  At some point in your life, you are likely to consider moving home.  This might be because:

• you are thinking of moving from your family home to live independently for the first time;
• you are finding your current house difficult to manage and would like to downsize or move to a new area;
• you have an illness or disability which means that you find it difficult to remain living independently;
• your carer who looks after you is no longer able to do this; or
• your family are worried about you living at home.

When considering where to live, here are some things that you might want to think about.

Staying at home

You might be able to stay living in the same home with some support; for example:

• Reablement may help you regain some independence following illness or injury, or help you learn new tasks following the loss of a carer
• Personal care may help you do things around your home
• Equipment or adaptations may make your home easier to use.

The Homeshare scheme, where young people live with older people, for reduced rent or free accommodation in return for help with basic tasks around the home and companionship, might also be an option for you.

Move to more suitable housing

When looking for a different property, there are options to rent or buy.  Location is very important, for example, to be near to family, friends and/or local amenities.  You might be looking for a smaller property which is easier to manager, or perhaps one on a single level, particularly if using stairs is an issue for you.  There are retirement housing and park houses to rent or buy which are specifically targeted at older people.

1.  Sheltered housing

This provides smaller, more manageable housing for older people, often including a call bell or alarm with a manager or warden available to respond in emergencies.

2.  Extra care housing

This provides similar accommodation to sheltered housing but includes a team of flexible care staff on site to provide additional support.  The care staff can help with personal care, domestic chores and social activities.  If needed, they can provide help at night too.  Extra care housing can be an option for people of all ages.  The emphasis of extra care is on independence and can provide an alternative to residential care for many people who value having 'their own front door'.

For more information about extra case housing please watch our video:

• Extra care housing in Cumbria video

3.  Residential homes and nursing homes

Residential homes provide accommodation, meals and care for people needing a significant level of personal care which cannot be provided in their own home.  Nursing homes provide residential care plus nursing care 24 hours a day from a qualified nurse.

4.  Supported living

Younger people wanting to move on from the family home may want to consider supported living.  This provides people with their own tenancy in a shared house with two to four other people and an on-site support team who can help with personal care, daily living tasks and accessing the community.

For more information about supported living please visit our Supporting People website.