Evaluation of community and sheltered dwellings in Lisburn, County Antrim

This report was commissioned by Lisburn Primary Care Commissioning Pilot and was undertaken by the University of Ulster in conjunction with Down Lisburn Trust, N.I.H.E. and Fold Housing.

The aim of the research was to explore the views of older people in the Lisburn area regarding their homes in the community or in sheltered dwellings.

Data was collected from two sample groups using a validated instrument (the HOOP tool) which measured satisfaction across a range of housing related variables and examined attitudes of older people towards moving home.

Findings highlighted that sheltered dwellers were more satisfied with aspects of their home than their community based counterparts, particularly in relation to the condition of the property, their general well-being and their ability to remain independent.

The majority of both groups stated that they would find a move in the future difficult, particularly sheltered dwellers, who tended to view the move to sheltered accommodation as the last move they would have to make.

If a move had to be considered, both groups identified safety and security and location as the most essential considerations.

The report makes a number of recommendations in respect of enabling older people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. For example the provision of intensive domiciliary support to sheltered dwelling residents and the creation of ‘staying put’ type schemes for community dwellers.