Having spent his career working in property and investment, shared ownership was not a new concept to Tom.
However, it was not something he would have considered until his wife, Ruth, was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare condition caused by loss of nerve cells in the brain that can impact muscle control and movement.
Initially, the couple remained in their four-bedroom detached home. Although Ruth was not receiving care, the couple chose to pay for a 24-hour care response service which would arrive at their home within 20 minutes of an alarm.
Tom said: “We were very happy with it. Until one day, I was putting Ruth into the car, and I slipped. Ruth was dangling out of the car, and I was laid on the driveway. Luckily a neighbour saw what had happened and came to help.”
Convinced to view an Extra Care property by their children, Tom and Ruth were impressed by the scheme but initially had one small concern.
Tom said: “We looked, and we liked it. The concept seemed brilliant, independent living with Extra Care. We could have adapted the house, but it would have ruined the character of the property, and we would have ended up living separately on two different floors; here we would be living together.
“What I didn’t like was shared ownership; I had worked in properties for the last 10 years of my career and it didn’t sit well with me. However, I got hold of a sample lease and shared it with my solicitor; he said it was one of the best written leases he had seen in his life and described it as superb. He even said if his mum, who was living in independent living, had a lease like that he would be over the moon as it was perfect.”
Tom and Ruth did not qualify for rented accommodation so their only option to move into the scheme was through shared ownership. It was December and Tom agreed on one condition; the deal had to be completed by 19 January and, with Christmas rapidly approaching, things would need to move quickly.
Tom said: “Everything went through so smoothly and it was so straightforward it was unbelievable. Everything was spot on; every question was answered so professionally.”
The couple moved in having purchased the maximum 75 percent share, which meant they did not have to pay rent on the outstanding share.
Tom said: “It's great to retain an asset. As a parent, I’ve always felt I should leave my children better than my parents left me; I want to know they are taken care of.”
In addition to knowing he still has ownership of a property, Tom said the peace of mind afforded to him and Ruth by living in Extra Care is invaluable.
“I have a direct comparison as my sister-in-law lives in a five-bedroom detached house and has care three times a day, the same as my wife now,” said Tom.
“We both praise the Care Workers but with us, we have a core team who you get to know and have interactions with that you wouldn’t have with an outside care company; it’s a totally different relationship and you can’t quantify that.
“In the past we would have had Care Workers respond within 20 minutes which we thought was great; here the team respond in minutes.”
In recent months, Tom has been diagnosed with his own health challenges and must attend weekly hospital appointments for treatment, which would have proved difficult if the couple were still living in their old property.
He said: “I’m thankful for how the Care Workers have looked after Ruth; I know I can rest, and she’s being looked after, and it’s spot on. If we were still living elsewhere, I wouldn’t have had that peace of mind.”