What is Sheltered Housing?
Dover District Council have a number of Sheltered Housing schemes, available for the over 55s.
There is no personal care component to Sheltered Housing, this has to be implemented separately if required.
Sheltered Housing Schemes
Sheltered housing schemes are purpose-built accommodation designed to make your home and life easier to manage as you get older. All accommodation (which can range from bungalows, flats to studios) have their own front door and front door key. All tenants have their own private facilities including living area, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.
Some schemes include a laundry room, kitchen and communal lounge where tenants can meet with friends and neighbours, and all schemes are built with safety and convenience in mind and have door entry systems, fire alarms and smoke detectors. Most properties are fitted with alarm cords which put tenants in contact with a control centre in an emergency situation.
Is it for you?
The purpose of sheltered housing is to enable you to continue living as independently as possible while providing you with housing related support. When you live in Sheltered Housing you still maintain the same responsibilities and independence that you have always enjoyed.
Sheltered Housing schemes are for people who are generally active and independent - it's not for those seeking a care option. We provide visiting members of staff who regularly visit tenants to check all is well. Our aim is to support you without intruding, maintaining both freedom and privacy.
Additional services to tenants living in Sheltered Housing:
- Welcome prospective new residents, show them around and explaining how Sheltered Housing works
- Helping tenants with housing matters ranging from signing tenancy agreements, helping complete any benefit application forms and signposting tenants to gain support from external organisations
- Complete independent living support plans for new residents and making sure every resident's needs are regularly reviewed and updated.
- Visiting the local scheme to check fire alarms and emergency pull cords on a regular basis, reporting any faults.
- Make regular calls to tenants either via our call system or through a face to face visit
- Contact next of kin or appointed person when tenants who do not respond or who are unwell - contacting GPs, family or Care Managers where necessary.
- Advise of any extra benefits that residents may be entitled to
- Provide general advice to enable tenants to remain independent in their own home