What is assisted living? Extra care housing

Assisted living allows people to live independently but access care and support as they need it. Also known as extra care housing, assisted living is an option to residential care where people can buy or rent self-contained accommodation and receive care and assistance from on-site staff.

Assisted living settings are monitored and inspected by the regulatory bodies in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, such as the Care Quality Commission in England.

How does assisted living work?

Assisted living schemes are developments of self-contained homes mainly designed for older people who wish to live independently but need some care and support to do so. People may use it as a long-term housing option, intermediate care or rehabilitation.

There are different types of assisted living, ranging from retirement villages, communities of one or two-bedroom flats and bungalows.

Many assisted living schemes have a minimum age requirement of 55 or 60 years old. Some cater for people living with mental health issues, learning disabilities and complex needs. This is known as supported living.

Residents at assisted living sites own, part-own or rent their self-contained accommodation and receive help with everything from personal care to domestic help, usually available 24 hours a day.

The flat or other type of dwelling will be equipped with all the comforts needed in later life as well as 24-hour emergency alarms.

There are always staff on site to provide a range of services according to the needs of residents. The setting may organise regular, optional events and trips out to enable residents to get out and about in their local community.

Assisted living facilities

The dwelling residents live in are self-contained with a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living room. They are designed to make managing daily life as easy as possible and may be fitted with adaptations such as handrails, lower worktops and more.

The assisted living development usually has a range of communal facilities and services where residents can come together for socialising and activities, including lounges, dining areas and restaurants, gardens, hair salons, café/bar and more.

Assisted living care and support services

Although people live independently, staff are on site to provide the care and support they need to maintain a good quality of life. Depending on individual needs, staff can help with washing and cleaning or shopping and laundry.

The care services you receive may be provided by your local authority, the housing provider or private home care agencies.

Assisted living services include help with:

• Washing
• Dressing
• Medication administration
• Going to the toilet
• Shopping
• Laundry
• Cleaning
• Socialising

A benefit of assisted living communities compared to remaining at home is that care can be provided at a moment’s notice as and when needed. As staff are always on site, rapidly changing needs and emergencies can be responded to quickly.

How much does assisted living cost?

How much you have to pay for assisted living can vary greatly depending on where you live, the development of choice and your care needs.

Settings which have state-of-the-art, luxurious facilities and offer an extensive range of activities may charge more than those which have less to offer.

The higher your needs, the more attention is required from staff which means the care services you receive will cost more. There may also be a service charge to cover maintenance of the grounds and management of the scheme.

In England, you may pay a service charge between £1,500-£3,000 a year for a one-bedroom flat. Luxury settings may charge in excess of £10,000 per year.

If you have purchased a property through an assisted living scheme, you will be required to pay ground rent. Additionally, you will have to pay council tax and utility bills. However, these may be part of your service charge.

It is vital that you make sure exactly how much you will be charged to ensure you can afford it and to avoid any surprises.

Your local authority may help you with the cost of the care services that you receive. If you need care and support, you can request a Needs Assessment from your local authority where they assess your care needs and whether you meet the eligibility criteria.

Please see our guide to the Care Needs Assessment for more information.

They will also be able to help you determine what benefits you are entitled to.

Read our fees guide on how to pay for care costs.

Accessing assisted living schemes

Assisted living housing is available to rent or buy from local authorities, housing associations, charities or private companies.

Most extra care housing schemes have strict eligibility criteria, such as you must be over 55 or have a certain level of care needs. Additionally, some councils do not allow people who own property to join their assisted living waiting list.

To find extra care housing near you, search our site which lists more than 1,500 providers in the UK.

Following a Needs Assessment, your local council may recommend assisted living as the best option for your care needs and help you arrange it.

Before you commit to a scheme, it is vital that you fully understand the terms and conditions, what you will be charged and what services will be provided. This includes transfer/exit fees if you sell the property.