EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Guidance for planning continuing care retirement communities

Guidance for planning continuing care retirement communities

Introduction

Meeting the diverse housing and care needs of an ageing population requires local authorities to adopt innovative models of sheltered housing. The continuing care retirement community (CCRC) is one of these new models. A CCRC offers accommodation in which older people can live independently, with a high level of care and facilities (catering, leisure activities, hairdresser, library etc.). This guide helps planners to understand the characteristics of CCRCs, how these communities promote independent living amongst older people and their role in achieving sustainable communities.

Description

The United Kingdom, as many other European countries, is an ageing society. The care and housing needs of older people are becoming increasingly important. Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) are a new model of sheltered housing for elderly people. CCRCs

are commonly large-scale (over 100 units)
cater for a wide mix of residents
offer tailored care to individual needs
often comprise a mix of tenures

As CCRCs are still a relatively new concept, most local authority planners have little experience with the planning and development process of such housing. This guide provides information and advice for planners on

the key features of CCRCs
the issues that surround the development, design and planning of a CCRC scheme
the benefits of CCRCs to residents, the local community and the local economy

Background information

The British population is ageing: the proportion of people aged 65 and over increased by 51 per cent between 1961 and 2001. At the same time the concept of old age is being redefined, with more people seeing retirement as a rewarding and active part of life. New models of sheltered housing that better meet the diverse needs of older people are needed.

Features which characterise CCRCs include:

self-contained flats or bungalows which are designed to facilitate the independence of frail older people and provide a safe environment
residents usually pay two types of fee, a one-off entry fee or a weekly fee to cover accommodation costs and a regular fee for the duration of the stay
provision of an appropriate package of care, in the individual’s own home
catering facilities
24-hour staff care and support available on site
comprehensive and extensive range of facilities such as restaurant, lounge, activity room, library, health suite
staff offices and facilities, domestic support services
wide range of social and leisure activities/facilities
mobility and access assistance

The guide was produced on behalf of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Planning Officers Society.

Methodology

The report is based on an analysis of current and emerging policy and practice across the United Kingdom. This includes an assessment of exemplar CCRCs that have been developed and input from planning officers and developers who have been involved with such schemes. The decision-making on various CCRC planning applications by Local Planning Authorities and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has been analysed.

Conclusions

It is important that a thorough feasibility study is carried out prior to any CCRC scheme being proposed. The study should examine, among others, current and future demand for a CCRC, the services already offered in the area and the compatibility with planning policies for the area.
There is a common perception that CCRCs constitute gated communities. Evidence from UK CCRCs does not support this. CCRCs can be successfully integrated within the wider community while providing a safe environment for residents.
Depending on the specific local development plan policies, CCRCs can directly contribute towards meeting local affordable and special housing needs.
Consideration of CCRC planning applications requires a sophisticated balancing of several material planning considerations, including the benefits of the particular proposal.

Contact info

Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Phone: +44 1904 629241
info@jrf.org.uk

Publication date

05/04/2006

Researcher

Robin Tetlow (Tetlow King Planning Ltd.)

Article info
ISBN: 978 185935 453 7

Links

Visit the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website Visit the Planning Officers Society website Visit the Tetlow King Planning Ltd. website

Continuing care retirement communities. A guide to planning (PDF, Eng, 5.5 MB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Integration of social groups

Keywords

Older people