What is extra care housing?
Extra care housing comprises self-contained homes on a shared development with on-site care and support which can provide personal care and support to meet residents’ needs. Residents may be owners, part owners, or tenants.
Extra care housing can also be known as housing with care, and the homes are designed with features and services available to enable self-care and independent living, including:
- waist height plug sockets
- wheelchair access
- level access bathroom
- fully-fitted kitchen
- lifts where needed
- rails and regular seating areas in communal areas
Care and support is provided by professional care staff regulated by the Care Quality Commission, who can provide personal care and support to meet your needs. All services are flexible and can be increased or decreased as required.
Couples with very different care needs can stay together, rather than one leaving to move to residential care.
More information about extra care housing is available here.
What services are available?
Most extra care housing schemes provide a 24-hour wellbeing service on-site to provide instant help in an emergency. A pendant alarm device alerts staff when help is needed.
The care team can help with going to bed, getting up in the morning, medication prompting and helping you to adapt after a stay in hospital.
The support service can help you with getting out and about in the local community to do things like get to appointments or pick up prescriptions.
The domestic support team can help with tasks such as household cleaning, running errands and shopping for groceries.
There are extra charges for some of these services.
How much does it cost?
There are three elements to the cost. These are the:
- cost of buying or renting your own home including utility bills
- service charges associated with your home for maintenance and any communal facilities
- cost of your personal care and lifestyle support including the peace of mind service
The amount you pay will vary depending on your individual situation and your income. You may have to pay for all of the costs, or you may be entitled to benefits to meet some or all of them.
What is available and how do I apply?
There are currently six available developments in Devon. These are in Bideford, Ivybridge, Okehampton, Totnes, Newton Abbot, and Exeter. Use the links below to find out more about the developments and how to apply:
- Moreton Court, Abbotsham Road, Bideford (Age 55+)
- Douro Court, Brook Road, Ivybridge (Age 60+)
- Castle Ham Lodge, Castle Road, Okehampton (Age 55+)
- Haydon Court, Western Road, Newton Abbot (Predominantly Age 55+, though younger people with long-term care and support needs may also apply)
- Quayside, Steamer Quay Road, Totnes (Age 55+)
- Edwards Court, Millbrook Lane, off Topsham Road, Exeter (Age 55+ though exceptional applications will be accepted by younger people if they have a disability that means they have care and support needs that could be best met within an extra care housing environment)