Flexicare

Hertfordshire’s Model of

Extra Care HousingTed Maddex

Senior Commissioning Manager

Accommodation Solutions Team

Hertfordshire County Councilwww.hertsdirect.org

What is flexicare Housing?

Your own front door

Care team on site 24/7

Suitable accommodation

Integration with community

Mixed abilities

Benefits

• Alternative to a care home• Keeps couples together• Promotes independence• Security & peace of mind• Flexible care bands• Social interaction • Reduced moves• Economically sustainable

AST work

• The work of AST has increased provision from 264 in 2005 to 849 today.

• Working with housing providers

• Changing sheltered to flexicare

• Building new schemes though partnership bids

Growing Flexicare

• We provide with housing partners 849 units

• A third of people in residential care could have managed in extra care

• For Hertfordshire this suggests

• 2288 places by 2020

• 3223 by 2030

• Need to balance supply against demand

Cost Benefits

• Flexicare is not only a positive choice for older people but…

• Low band costs £30/wk

• medium band cost neutral

• High band save HCC £128/wk

Care commissioning

• Care from block providers, or in a few cases housing providers

• Challenges of sharing sites

• Specific training

• paid at safe staffing levels, but adjusted to band mix

• Additional care activities

Selecting Tenants

• 4 weekly panel meetings

• HCS, district, housing & care providers

• Referrals via housing register

On going work

• Move toward balanced community through selective allocations

• Engage with individuals (current and future tenants) and carers - responding to their views

• Address any perceived barriers

• Increase emphasis on outcomes

Why this matters …

“Mrs X was terminally ill and suffering with mild dementia. She was able to return home at Mary Barfield ECH due to the 24/7 care team on-site, who worked brilliantly with the palliative care team. This meant that Mrs X’s final weeks were comfortable and peaceful. Thank you.”

Letter from a GP in Royston, Herts.

The last word …

“Everyone assumed Mum would need to go into a care home but she did not want this. Flexicare Housing has literally given Mum extra years! We have peace of mind that she is happy and well cared for, in her own home.”

Letter from the daughter of a tenant at Wormley Court, Broxbourne

Thank You

• Any Questions?