Field, Elizabeth; (1999) The needs of older people living in sheltered housing. Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Eighty-seven residents of three sheltered accommodation schemes for people over 60 years, were interviewed about their physical and mental health, their decision to move in, and how they found living in sheltered housing. Their social networks and social support were investigated along with any needs they might have, environmental, physical, psychological or social and who, if anyone, met these, family, friends, health, social or voluntary services. Residents had a wide range of needs and varied greatly in the number of needs they had. Environmental needs e.g. housework, shopping and managing money, and physical health needs e.g. medication, physical health and self care were reported most frequently and were usually met. Psychological needs e.g. distress and memory and social needs e.g. activity, relationships and company were reported less often but a greater proportion of these were unmet. Particular needs varied as to whether they were more likely to be met by family, services, either or both together. No relationship was found between the number of needs or unmet needs and resident gender, age or scheme lived in. Single people had more needs but not more unmet needs than married people. Activity limitation, somatic symptoms, dementia and depression were all associated with numbers of needs and of unmet needs. Residents' with private restricted or family dependent support networks had most needs, those with locally integrated networks had least. Residents with private restricted networks had the most unmet needs on average, and those with locally integrated networks had fewest. Residents with private restricted networks needed formal help with more needs than did other residents. Residents often moved to sheltered accommodation because: they or their spouse were in poor health; they could not manage in their old home; they wanted a warden or alarm. Most residents were happy living in sheltered accommodation. Many made use of 'sheltered' features such as the common room, the communal laundry, the warden and the alarm. A minority of residents were lonely and a few were unhappy with sheltered accommodation.

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