An Overview of Housing for Pensioners & Disabled Seniors

The Lake Oconee Boomers Team

Seniors with tartanOur country is aging, and the number of pensioners on government benefits is growing, according to government statistics. Pensioners over the ages of 50 and 60 receive a proportion of more than half of all of Britain’s total benefits budget (about £109 billion or $166 billion). The benefits are also boosted by a mechanism that guarantees adjustments to the pensioners’ benefits. This so-called triple lock provides increases based on earnings increase, price inflation or a 2.5 percent broad increase. Pensioners receive whichever is the highest of all of these over a given time.

Government programs, such as free bus passes, winter fuel allowances and even free TV licenses over the age of 75, also benefits seniors. As simply giveaways, the benefits are not based on need at all, which frustrates disability advocates. About one billion people in the world live with some form of disability, according to the United Nations. And here in Britain, our seniors with disabilities have a tougher time finding benefits for disabled persons.

Disability Benefits

The course of action for British disabled persons includes different arrangements for living options as well. As more seniors in their later years face old age issues, such as illnesses and disabilities, they rely on government programs for help with housing and aid for seniors. The UK government provides aid for UK seniors who face disability issues without the money to manage the challenges. The programs will offer assistance to qualified disabled persons.

Charities & Trusts

The Disabilities Trust is also a leading action platform for UK seniors with complex needs. According to the Disabilities Trust, people with disabilities are eligible to receive many types of assistance. The group offers services to disabled persons who suffer from cerebral palsy, stroke, MS, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, arthritis, and disabilities from accidents. Needs of the disabled person are individually assessed, and services may include home-based care or a community care treatment program. With proper care from The Disabilities Trust, disabled people can live a more independent lifestyle and have control over their lives.

New Housing Programs

As disabled persons seek more independence in their daily living, housing options open to make living arrangements more tailored to a complex lifestyle. An “Over 50s Housing” seminar that discusses senior housing in the UK will take place in November in London. While the session targets builders and individuals who build and create ideal housing communities for older seniors, the one-day seminar will also cover background information on dementia trends, assisted living for seniors and growth in the over-50s housing market.

As a prelude to this seminar, housing trends for seniors draw attention to a wide array of issues worth researching, both from aging and senior disability perspectives. As families seek housing for disabled persons and older seniors, a variety of options are available. Training hospitals offer housing opportunities for disabled persons with strokes and accident rehabilitation. Other facilities take shape in the form of disused sporting grounds. Developers see opportunities to house disabled persons in medically based communities within these revamped large venues.