Ethos / Lifestyle

Community interaction

• The scheme is located within an existing active community
• The scheme is within easy reach of an existing active community
• The scheme relies on itself for community /neighbourhood interaction

Cultural

• We facilitate spiritual and religious observance
• Staff can speak languages other than English

Social Activities

• There are regular social activities
  Including: Bingo, games and entertainment evenings including ‘Play Your Cards Right’, and auctions for charities
• Entertainment
• Outings
• Regular activities programme
  • Daily activities
  • Weekly activities
  • Monthly activities
• Facilities for residents to garden or assist with gardening
• Own minibus
• Other transport for residents

Pets

New residents are allowed to bring pets:

• a cat
• a dog
• If yes, pets can be replaced
  on a case by case basis

Statement of purpose

(the ethos and purpose of the scheme as described to a potential resident)
The Independent Living team aims to make you feel safe, comfortable and happy in your home. An Optivo sheltered apartment offers independent living in an easy-to-manage home with the companionship of other older people living close by. It's the perfect blend of independent living with support when you need it. You’ll find our sheltered schemes across London, the Midlands, Kent and Sussex. Our service is independently rated ‘outstanding’. Our sheltered schemes offer one- or two-bed self-contained apartments, each with their own kitchen, bathroom and front door. Many have balconies or patio space, with shared gardens and are accessible throughout. The majority also have guest rooms for family or friends. We run regular social activities – our aim is to promote active, healthy lifestyles, but it’s up to you how much you want to get involved. Our friendly schemes also offer a safe and secure environment. Our staff are there during set hours each week. And we also provide 24-hour emergency assistance through a call system, so there's always someone available for support.

Assessment of outcomes

(to help assess the quality of service and the well-being of residents)
We discuss with every resident at least once a year what support they’d like from us, whether it’s a call every day or an occasional chat. Nine out of ten say they’re reassured by our calls. For those that need it we can also help with advice or help with forms or paperwork. And If you have a long-term illness or disability we can help ensure you’re in touch with the right services. Our service is overseen by regional steering groups of residents who ensure we respond to what the people who live in our schemes want. And the result? Independent charity erosh says “Optivo offers more, particularly around involvement, than other sheltered accommodation providers.

Buildings

The buildings and the environment

Year built: 1980
Year of major remodelling: 2015
Number of stories: 3

• Lift(s). Number of Lifts: 1
• Stair lift(s)
• The location is generally regarded as:
  • Desirable
  • Average
  • Not so desirable

Distances to external facilities:
Bus stop	50	yards
Local shop	200	yards
Post office	0.3	mile
Social/day centre	0.3	mile
Town/shop centre	0.3	mile

Individual properties

65 properties

Property details:
studio/bedsits flats:	31
1-bedroom apartments:	34
Including:
limited mobility properties:	65

Other details:

• If there are studios/bedsits
  • They have a kitchen
  • They have a wc
  • They have a bathroom
• Some properties have a private balcony
• Some properties have a private garden or patio
• Properties are served by a communal satellite tv aerial
• Properties are wired for cable tv
• Dementia unit
• Intermediate care suite or similar
• Respite care accommodation

Communal facilities Indoors

• Lounge
• Restaurant (open to public)
• Dining room (residents only)
• Community/day centre
• Laundry
• Guest suite
• Conservatory
• Activities room(s)
• Hobby room(s)
• More than one lounge
• TV lounge
• Café
• Bar/pub
• Fitness gym
• Arts and craft centre
• Storage for wheelchairs/electric scooters
• Library
• Shop
• Treatment room
• Computer/IT room
• Payphone
• WC's
• Hairdressing salon
• Jacuzzi
• Pool
• Assisted bathroom(s)
• Other communal facilities

Communal facilities Outdoors

• Garden
• Total number of parking spaces: 30

Technology and design

• Communal facilities are designed for sensory impairment
• Wired for telecare
• Telecare installed
• Smart Home
• CCTV
• Others
• Facility security features: CCTV and warden call system

Accessibility

• All communal spaces are accessible by wheelchair users
• Most residents find getting to the site:
  • easy
  • manageable
  • difficult
• Less mobile people find getting to the site:
  • easy
  • manageable
  • difficult

Services

Support services

• Community alarm service
• Provided by: Eldercare
• Alarm to call on-site staff
• Housing support service (SP tasks)
• Domestic assistance
• Light domestic cleaning
• Shopping
• Housework
• Personal laundry service
• Hairdressing on site
• Chiropody
• Physiotherapy
• Sensors (detectors) and monitors
• Personal sensors
• Property-based sensors

Meals

• Meals are available on a regular basis
• A daily meal is available
• Breakfast always available in restaurant/dining room
• Lunch always available in restaurant/dining room
• Dinner always available in restaurant/dining room
• Breakfast can be delivered to individual homes
• Lunch can be delivered to individual homes
• Dinner can be delivered to individual homes
• Restaurant is open to outsiders
• There is generally a choice of menu
• Residents are consulted on menus
• All meals are prepared on the scheme
• Vegetarians are specifically catered for
• Special diets can usually be provided for
• We can meet cultural dietary preferences

Care services

• Personal care services
• Dementia care
• Care for people with learning disabilities
• Nursing care
• Intermediate care
• Respite care
• Mental frailty
• Physical disabilities
• Behavioural problems
• Terminal illness
• Our scheme is best suited to care for:
• People who need minimal help
• People who need moderate help
• People who need a high level of help

Eligibility / Admission

User profile

• 55 is the lower age limits for new residents
• We cater for people with no/low level care needs
• We are aiming at a mixed care levels population
• Admission criteria are similar to residential care
• Residents will not need to move except to hospital
• The scheme is intended or specially suited to a specific religious, ethnic, profession or other group
• The scheme is restricted to a specific group

Applicants must:

• Be self-funders
• Be on state benefits
• Have local connections
• Have a housing needs assessment
• Have a community care assessment
• Have a risk assessment
• Have a health assessment
• Have minimum housing support need
• Have minimum personal care need
• Have less than a maximum personal care need

For couples, both partners must:

• Have minimum housing support need
• Have minimum personal care need

We accept people with:

• Visual impairment
• Deafness
• Urinary incontinence
• Faecal incontinence

We would normally accept people with:

• Memory problems - moderate
• Memory problems - severe
• Challenging behaviour - disruptive
• Challenging behaviour - physically violent
• Mobility problems - frame
• Mobility problems - wheelchair
• Mobility problems - bedfast
• Wandering problems - inside home
• Wandering problems - outside home

Management / costs

Management

• Compared to our other schemes, this one is:
  • Popular
  • Average
  • Not so popular
  • Slow to let/sell
• There is a tenants/residents association

Housing staff

• Resident scheme manager
• Non-resident manager
• Housing staff on duty:
  • part time
  • normal hours
  • 24 hours
  • 7 days

Care staff

• Site-based care staff
• On-site care staff 24/7

Staff facilities

• Manager's office
• Care staff office
• Staff overnight room with en-suite
• Staff rest room with kitchenette
• Staff locker and changing room
• Main catering kitchen

Costs

Average new let rents excluding all charges:
Studio	£124.87	per week
1 bedroom	£135.35	per week