Plymouth City Council is set to make a commitment to older residents who need more help to live independently.
More than 160 people currently live in the city’s seven Extra Care housing schemes, which consist of self-contained homes with 24-hour on-site care and support for residents.
This vital service gives people who need some extra support the opportunity to maintain and enjoy an active, independent life. As a self-directed service, residents have the freedom to choose how involved they are in the community and the level of support they receive.
A business case setting out plans to extend the current Extra Care housing contract for a further eight months, allowing time for a full procurement process to secure the schemes for at least another four years, will be discussed at a Cabinet meeting on 10 July.
The business case also proposes to recommission and extend the ‘social inclusion’ support that is provided to the residents in Extra Care housing.
The social inclusion service provides a range of activities to residents living within the schemes, and in the wider local community. The aim is to combat loneliness and to bring people together, helping residents to stay active, meet friends and lead fulfilling, healthy lives.
This service is currently only available at six out of the seven Extra Care schemes in the city and the plans would see this expanded and offered at all locations.
Councillor Mary Aspinall, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “These services are so important to older residents in Plymouth, with supported housing schemes helping to bridge the gap between living completely independently and needing residential or nursing care. Supporting people to age well is an absolute priority for us, and these plans ensure we’re helping our residents to make choices to enable them to thrive as they grow older.
“The social inclusion aspect is particularly important, helping to bring communities together combatting loneliness which we know improves people’s mental health and overall wellbeing. I’m pleased that we are aiming to make this offer available for all our Extra Care residents.”