20 Years of Extra Care: A Review - Hanover

Leading the
concept development
2.1 Defining Extra Care
In its relatively short existence, Extra Care
housing as a model has been described in a
number of different ways; Category 2½, Very
Sheltered Housing, Housing with Care, Assisted
Living, Close Care and Extra Care.
Extra Care has no statutory definition. The
label Extra Care may describe rather different
forms of provision. There are also differences
between the sectors. Private developers have,
for example, for a long time used Close Care
to refer to properties located adjacent to care
homes, where services may be available to
residents from the care home. Others have
developed a form of higher support marketed
as Assisted Living.
Extra Care is most usefully thought of as being
defined by a set of common characteristics
while recognising that outside the core there
is scope for variation. The physical features
are easily recognisable; what is more subtle is
the culture and approach of staff. Extra Care is
commonly characterised by an approach which
encourages and supports occupants to continue
to do as much as possible for themselves rather
than by practices which, perhaps inadvertently,
foster dependence.
Defining features of
Extra Care housing
• Self-contained flats or bungalows
incorporating design features to
facilitate ease of use or safety
features and assistive technologies
• Provision of appropriate care
packages to a high level if required
• Catering facilities with one or more
meals available every day
• 24 hour staff and support
Communal facilities such as
•
restaurant, lounge, activity rooms,
library, health suite
• Staff offices and facilities
2 Leading the concept development
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