Older Clients’ Pathway through the Adaptation System for Independent Living in the UK

Wusi Zhou, Adekunle Sabitu Oyegoke, Ming Sun and Hailong Zhu
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Wusi Zhou: School of Public Administration, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
Adekunle Sabitu Oyegoke: School of Built Environment & Engineering, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK
Ming Sun: School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK
Hailong Zhu: School of Public Administration, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: Housing adaptation is recognized as an effective intervention for successful independent living and has been given a greater political priority. However, the current adaptation implementation is fragmented and sometimes confusing. This study is aimed at examining blockages in the adaptation system in the United Kingdom (UK) and identifying practical ways to tackle them. It adopted a mixed-method sequential explanatory research strategy. A questionnaire survey was first conducted in all local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales. This was followed by individual interviews and a focus group with professionals and older clients. The study found that multiple organizations are involved during the delivery of housing adaptations; poor cooperation between them is a major barrier to a seamless service. The adaptation process involves five key stages; there are many inconsistencies and inequities in the process across local authorities. Significant delays are found at all stages, the average length of time taken to complete an adaptation is unacceptably long. There are also many inconsistencies and inequities across different local authorities. This study identified some common deficiencies, which cause inefficiencies and ineffectiveness in housing adaptation practices and makes some recommendations on specific actions that need to be taken at both national and local levels to address them.

Keywords: housing adaptation; older people; aging in place; environmental gerontology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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