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Causes of Delays during Housing Adaptation for Healthy Aging in the UK

Author

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  • Wusi Zhou

    (School of Public Administration, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China)

  • Adekunle Sabitu Oyegoke

    (School of Built Environment & Engineering, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK)

  • Ming Sun

    (School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK)

Abstract

Housing adaptation is a rehabilitation intervention that removes environmental barriers to help older people accommodate changing needs and age in place. In the UK, funding application for home adaptations to local authorities is subject to several procedural steps, including referral, allocation, assessment, funding and installation. The five stages need to complete in a sequential manner, often cause long delays. This study aims to investigate the timelines across these key stages of the adaptation process and examine the main causes of delays in current practice. A mixed-methods research strategy was employed. A questionnaire survey was first undertaken with all 378 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales; it was followed by 5 semi-structured interviews and 1 focus group meeting with selected service providers, and 2 case studies of service users. The results showed that the average length of time taken to complete the whole process is relatively long, with the longest waiting time being observed at the funding decision stage. Delays were found in each of the key stages. Main causes of delay include insufficient resources, lack of joint work, legal requirements, shortage of competent contractors and the client’s decisions. These issues need to be addressed in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of future housing adaptation practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Wusi Zhou & Adekunle Sabitu Oyegoke & Ming Sun, 2019. "Causes of Delays during Housing Adaptation for Healthy Aging in the UK," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:2:p:192-:d:196794
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maya Kylén & Henrik Ekström & Maria Haak & Sölve Elmståhl & Susanne Iwarsson, 2014. "Home and Health in the Third Age — Methodological Background and Descriptive Findings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-21, July.
    2. Sixsmith, J. & Sixsmith, A. & Fänge, A. Malmgren & Naumann, D. & Kucsera, C. & Tomsone, S. & Haak, M. & Dahlin-Ivanoff, S. & Woolrych, R., 2014. "Healthy ageing and home: The perspectives of very old people in five European countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 1-9.
    3. Hea Young Cho & Malcolm MacLachlan & Michael Clarke & Hasheem Mannan, 2016. "Accessible Home Environments for People with Functional Limitations: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-24, August.
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    1. Wusi Zhou & Adekunle Sabitu Oyegoke & Ming Sun & Hailong Zhu, 2020. "Older Clients’ Pathway through the Adaptation System for Independent Living in the UK," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-16, May.

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