Integrating housing with care for older people

Purpose - The research explored the way in which different services, providers and other key players work together in housing with care (HWC) schemes and the impact of this on the quality of life of the older people living in them, especially those with high support needs. Methods - This qualitative study included interviews with 47 residents and five relatives at 19 private and not-for-profit schemes across the UK and 52 professionals from provider, statutory and other relevant organisations. Findings - Most participants were very satisfied with the services in HWC but a third described problems linked to "boundary" issues, where gaps, delays or confusion had arisen at the interface between teams, organisations or professional groups. Gaps often occurred where tasks were relatively small: they affected the quality of life of older people with high support needs but did not necessarily outweigh the benefits of living in HWC. Practical implications - We identify ways of improving integrated working in HWC and beyond. The paper is relevant to those commissioning and providing services to older people and to all those with an interest in integrating care and housing. Originality/value - This is the first UK-wide, cross-sector study to focus specifically on the boundaries between roles and responsibilities and their impact on residents in HWC.