Extra Care

More than just a home, extra care gives you the freedom to live your life independently with the reassurance of access to on-site care and support.

All extra care schemes provide the opportunity to live in your own home, with your own front door, with the freedom to make your own choices – with added assistance which can be tailored to meet your individual needs.

Our extra care schemes are situated in convenient locations and provide your own one or two bed apartment, an on-site restaurant and shared communal facilities such as gardens, lounges and laundry.

About extra care

Extra care housing offers your own home within a caring, supportive community – you will have your own front door and the freedom to make your own choices but with the peace of mind of knowing you are living in safe surroundings. Housing, care and support is provided by an on-site team with the reassurance of a 24-hour emergency response service. Assistance can be provided flexibly to ensure you can be supported in a way that meets your own individual needs.

All of our extra care schemes provide:

• Your own 1 or 2 bed apartment
• Shared communal facilities
• Provision of a housing and building management service
• Daily 3 course meal provided by the on-site restaurant, included as part of your tenancy
• 24/7 on site care and support and emergency response service
• A supportive community with social interactions, shared interests and links to the wider community

There are also unique features to each of our extra care schemes. You can find out more about these by visiting the webpage for each scheme.

Cost of living in extra care

There are different charges that make up the cost of living in extra care.

Rent

The amount charged for renting your home which includes the maintenance and repairs of the building.

Service Charges

There are two types of service charges.

1. Eligible service charges

If you are entitled to Housing Benefit/Universal Credit some or all of these charges are
covered.

• Extra Care Manager/Building management
• Gardening
• Cleaning of the communal areas
• Heating, lighting and water supplies to the communal areas
• Equipment renewal
• Maintenance contracts
• Miscellaneous eg. provision of the laundry equipment and lift insurance
• Management Charge – the cost of the staffing and overheads to provide your
scheme services

2. Non eligible service charges

Even if you are entitled to Housing Benefit/Universal Credit the following charges are not covered.

• Individual apartment charge – the charge for the heating and water supplies to
each apartment
• The catering service – the charge for a 3 course meal each day

The rent and service charges are set by and payable to Wales & West Housing and
do not include the following costs:

• Your apartment electricity supply
• Telephone charges
• TV packages such as Sky
• Council Tax
• The cleaning of your apartment
• Any scheduled care and support you receive

Care and Support Charges

This is the charge for care and support delivered at the extra care scheme in line with individual care and service delivery plans. This charge is separate to the rent and service charges outlined by Wales & West Housing for living at the extra care scheme.

How do I apply?

You will first need to register your details with us. You can do this by emailing contactus@wwha.co.uk or calling 0800 052 2526.

Once you’ve registered you’ll be invited to visit the scheme and find out more about living in extra care accommodation.

We will then arrange to visit you in your own home to assess your housing, care and support needs.

If your application is accepted you will be placed on a waiting list. Available properties are allocated to people on the waiting list.

Frequently asked questions

My mother has early Alzheimer’s – can she move into extra care housing?

People with Alzheimer’s can live in extra care housing. As part of the assessment of each person all health conditions are considered to ensure their care and support needs can be met before they are accepted on to the waiting list for accommodation.

My husband is unwell – do you consider applications from couples who want to move into extra care housing together?

Yes. There are 2 bed apartments that are spacious and ideal for couples. When assessing the suitability of couples wishing to be considered for extra care housing we would look at the needs of both individuals and as a couple.

I already live in sheltered housing – how would extra care housing be different?

The main difference would be that in our extra care housing there is an on-site care and support team. This team provides services to people as agreed by their individual care and support plans

How do you prioritise the people on the waiting list?

When a vacancy arises everyone on the waiting list will be considered. The property will be offered to whoever is deemed, at the time of the vacancy, to be in the greatest need.

Consideration will be given to any escalation of risk of a person losing their independence and/or increasing level of support needed, should they remain in their current accommodation.

What happens if my health gets worse while I am living in extra care housing?

Your needs may change over time and the level of care and support you need may fluctuate. The teams will support you to stay living in your home for as long as possible for as long as your needs can be met.

Can I buy an apartment?

No. The apartments are for rent only.

Do I have to pay for a meal if I do not want it?

Yes – the meal service is a condition of the tenancy. This is because overheads are incurred even if a person chooses not to have a meal.

Are white goods included?

No. White goods are not included.

Is the flooring included?

There is non-slip flooring in the kitchen and walk-in shower room, leaving other rooms for you to choose and provide your own flooring.

We ask that you seek advice from the facility staff before floor coverings are chosen to ensure consideration can be given to the opening and closing of doors in your apartment.

Is there gas for a cooker?

No. There is no gas to the apartments. There is provision in the kitchen for you to install an electric cooker.

Can I decorate my apartment?

Yes you can decorate your apartment. When the property is newly-built we ask that a period of 12 months is left before any decoration is undertaken to allow the building to settle.

Can I put pictures up?

Yes you can put up pictures. We ask that you seek the advice of the facility staff before this is done to ensure the correct fixings are used and consideration is given to electric cabling and water piping.

Can I have a pet?

In most cases, yes. We will establish how people care for their pet and that they understand that internal and external areas are shared before giving permission.

Can I go out when I want and can I have visitors?

Your apartment is your own home – you can go out and have visitors when you want.