Housing for older people
What are the benefits of sheltered housing?
The type of accommodation provided may be smaller and easier to manage than your current home, often our residents can make savings on rent, fuel bills and repair costs as well as benefitting from homes that need less cleaning and maintenance.
Sheltered housing has the added security of a sheltered housing officer (SHO) available from Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm, and a 24-hour 7 day-a-week, alarm call system called Careline.
Each resident has their own bungalow or self-contained flat, linked by heated corridors, to shared facilities such as a common room, laundry or guest room.
Facilities and activities within sheltered schemes
Each sheltered housing scheme is unique with different facilities and activities available, for example:
- pull-cords in each room for emergency assistance
- private or communal garden
- common room
- lifts
- car park
- a laundry room
- a guest room
The following activities are available giving residents a chance to mix with other residents when they choose:
- coffee mornings
- bingo
- fish and chip suppers
- exercise classes
Most residents regularly arrange birthday parties, Christmas dinners, barbecues, day trips to seaside towns or museums where all residents are welcome. Some events are organised across many sheltered housing schemes, for example the choir that perform in Ealing’s prestigious town hall. Some events are organised across many sheltered housing schemes, for example the Sheltered Housing choir, who perform on special occasions alongside pupils from a local school
Ealing Careline
Careline is an alarm service that is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
If you live in sheltered housing your flat will be linked to Ealing Careline control room via the alarm system in your property.
Our control centre staff will be able to talk to you wherever you are in your home. If you cannot speak we will be able to identify you and provide help.
How does it work?
You can get help in an emergency by pulling cords located around your flat or by pressing a button on a pendent worn around your neck or on a telephone unit. This will set off an alarm in our control centre where you will be able to speak to a qualified Ealing Careline operative who will be able to identify and help you.
When should I use Ealing Careline?
You should use Careline if you:
- have fallen and cannot get up
- cannot move due to sudden illness
- need urgent medical attention
- need to urgently contact the emergency services
- suspect you have a bogus caller
- need reassurance at any time.
Resident association
Residents are invited to start their own activity groups through their resident association.
Some events are facilitated by resident associations who also play an important role in scheme management and ensuring your voice is heard by holding regular meetings to discuss any of your problems, concerns or suggestions.
For more information on resident associations and how you can become involved, please contact the resident involvement team on 020 8825 6535 or email ResidentInvolvement@ealing.gov.uk