|
|
Home Share Idea for Elderly in Social Care Shake-Up
Trevor Mason, PA News
England
August 19, 2004
Elderly people may be encouraged to share their homes with young jobseekers under a radical shake-up of a social care.
The house-sharing scheme is being looked at by ministers for possible inclusion in a Green Paper this autumn.
Under the plan, lonely pensioners in large homes would be invited to offer a spare room to younger people.
In return, the jobseeker would be expected to help around the house doing routine jobs like shopping, while also offering company and support.
The scheme is being studied by Health Minister Stephen Ladyman after a consultation exercise last week.
A department of health spokeswoman said: "It is an option but we don't know if it's going to be in the Green Paper yet."
There would have to be strict checks on the young people involved to protect the security of the elderly, she added.
Homeshare schemes already exist in the UK with the charity Homeshare International co-ordinating programmes.
Some help older people to remain independent in their own homes by finding a homesharer able to offer support or a modest income, while others have enabled students to find accommodation where it is scarce or expensive.
Ministers believe the scheme would be of particular help in London and the south east, but might be applied nation-wide amid mounting concern over the breakdown of family support for older relatives.
|
|
