Housing Options in Westminster

 
 

Housing Options for Older People

Support in your own home

CoupleYou may not have to move
If you would like a little extra help, but don't wish to move from your home, we have a number of schemes that will bring support to you. For example, we may be able to provide:


Extra Care, Sheltered, Supported and Supported 50+ accommodation
If you are 50 years of age or over when you apply for housing, we will assess you to see if your needs could be met by either extra care, sheltered, supported or supported 50+ accommodation.

These schemes offer independent flats with varying degrees of support. You can choose whether or not to take advantage of these services, however many people enjoy the additional security that a sheltered or supported flat will offer.

Extra Care housing
This is sheltered housing with a difference! Residents still have their own self-contained flat, with a scheme manager on site. The extra care comes from a specially trained team of home carers who are on site daily.

Sheltered housing 
Sheltered housing consists of individual self-contained flats with a resident scheme manager and additional facilities, such as Community Alarm and communal laundry. There is usually a communal lounge and in many schemes, the scheme manager organises social events.

Supported housing
Supported housing generally has the benefit of a scheme manager and Community Alarm, but with less support from the scheme manager than in sheltered schemes. These schemes tend to be larger and may not have any communal facilities.

Supported 50+ housing
This is for people aged over 50 who do not currently need support, but may do so in the future. Support Services will be available as your needs change. These schemes may contain some stairs and are less appropriate for those with mobility needs.

Read more Housing Options for Older People


Westminster Advocacy Service for Senior Residents (WASSR)
Westminster Advocacy Service for Senior Residents (WASSR) is a local, independent voluntary organisation based in Soho. WASSR helps older people say what they want, secure their rights and obtain services.

This includes helping people with housing issues, assisting in obtaining the care and support that is needed, or resolving social and commercial disputes.

WASSR has a wealth of experience advocating for older people. Take these recent case studies:

Mr White was referred to WASSR by the local corner shop where he was well known. He had been beaten up. It turned out that Mr White had memory loss and was totally unknown to any services. WASSR developed a relationship of trust with him and helped him to access health and social care.

Mrs Jones lived with her family in what had been her home. She was getting confused and was waking the children in the night to get up for school. The family couldn’t cope and wanted her to go into residential care. Mrs Jones was adamant that she didn’t want this. WASSR helped to mediate with the family and found a solution that suited them all. Mrs Jones was referred to a day care centre, got regular respite care and also benefited from a befriender to visit and spend time with her.

If you are over 60 and you think WASSR could help you, please contact WASSR.

55 Dean Street, London W1D 6AF
info@wassr.org
Tel: 0207 439 3131
www.wassr.org