Housing and health care for older people

There is an enormous impact of home conditions both on the health of an older person living with a long-term illness, and their ability to remain independent in the face of disability. Geriatricians are often called upon to give advice to older people with a new illness about where to live. It is important therefore that they should understand the relationship between housing and health, and how to signpost patients and their families to advice on housing options. Vulnerable older people are more likely to be living in non-decent homes, generally private rented or owner-occupied. A new UK government initiative, Lifetime Homes, Lifetime neighbourhoods, offers the prospect for improvements in Home Improvement Agencies, Lifetime Homes Standards, and Disabled Facilities Grants.