Extra Care Living is designed for people who require additional assistance to look after themselves, but not at the level provided by a residential care home. People living in Extra Care apartments enjoy the security, freedom and independence of having their own front door, while having the reassurance that care staff are available if needed.
The type of care, facilities and accommodation can vary from scheme to scheme. Jigsaw Extra Care staff are on call 24 hours a day to provide personal care tailored for your support plan. Personal care can include things like taking medication, washing and getting dressed, but not medical care that would normally be provided by a qualified nurse. Our self-contained adapted apartments and bungalows all have a 24/7 emergency alarm service if you ever need it.
Residents normally need to meet certain eligibility criteria. If you feel Extra Care Living is for your, you may need to consider:
- Are you the right age? Our accommodation is strictly for the over 55s.
- Do you have priority over applicants who already live in the area?
- Are you required to have a care needs assessment from your local council before you apply? (The assessment is free and looks at your needs and the sort of help you could benefit from.)
- Do you currently have an existing care need or are you able to live safely on your own with some support?
- Do you need to move as a couple?
- Do you require financial assistance? We can help you with benefits advice if required.
Extra Care offers more support than our over 55s accommodation but still allows you to live independently. You will have a self-contained apartment, with your own front door with staff usually available up to 24 hours per day to provide personal care and support services.
These are tailored to your support plan and can include help with washing, dressing, going to the toilet and taking medication. Domestic help, such as laundry, shopping and hot meals can also be provided.
Key features of Extra Care Living include:
- Our residents are all aged 55 or over and are able to live safely on their own with some support
- Our accommodation consists of self-contained adapted apartments and bungalows maintained by Jigsaw Homes Group
- If you are on a low income you may be eligible for housing benefit and council tax support
- Care and support staff available up to 24 hours a day and are usually based on site, making you feel safe and secure
- Emergency alarms are placed throughout the properties and site so residents can call for help, day or night
- Spacious communal facilities and shared services, such as a lounge, hair salon, kitchen, dining area, organised social activities, garden and on-site car parking facilities
- Smaller, more manageable property with your own front door and personal space allowing you to prolong your independence.
Our accommodation consists of self-contained apartments and bungalows that come with their own kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living room, which are maintained by Jigsaw Homes Group.
Our accommodation is specifically designed to be safe and accessible for the over 55s and residents with a disability (e.g. special adaptations such as a bathroom with a level access shower or a kitchen with lower worktops for a wheelchair users.) They are also fitted with emergency pull cord alarm systems throughout, providing care and support 24/7 if you ever need it.
Our accommodation also have handrails situated around the communal areas as well as storage areas where you can store and charge an electric wheelchair or scooter. We can also provide hot meals that you can enjoy in the communal dining area with friends or in your own property. We also offer organised activities, such as group outings, hobby groups or film nights, for residents to socialise and to encourage a community feel within the scheme.
There are several financial support schemes available to assist you with council tax charges, based on your circumstances. If you are on a low income, you may also be eligible for Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit to help with paying your rent.
If you need extra care and support, you should get a free care needs assessment from your local council. The assessment will look at how you manage everyday activities and whether your needs meet the national eligibility criteria for getting help, as set out by the government.
If the council decides your care and support needs meet essential criteria, they should then give you a financial assessment. This works out whether you qualify for financial help from the council to pay for the care and support you need.
Please also visit our Money Advice service to see how we can help.
There are a couple of things you should consider before moving to Extra Care Living accommodation, not only to ensure it is the right option for you and your family, but also to ensure the specific accommodation is going to meet your care requirements.
Your Personal Requirements
If you like the features of Extra Care Living, but don’t require a lot of care or help with day to day tasks, then you may be happy living in one of our properties for the over 55s. This is a type of accommodation where a lower level of assistance is provided than in Extra Care.
If you are struggling to live independently and would find it even difficult to do so even with additional care and support in place, you may need to consider residential care.
Extra Care Living sits in-between these two options. Talk to your GP or social worker about having a free care needs assessment to find out which option would be best suited for your care needs.
If you would like to discuss anything about Extra Care Living with Jigsaw Homes Group please feel free to contact our dedicated Extra Care Living team:
t: 0300 111 1133
e: info@jigsawhomes.org.uk
