For Tom, living with Cerebral Palsy means he requires some level of care and support – but he doesn’t want it to be at the extent of his independence.
As part of the National Housing Federation's Supported Housing Week, we're featuring stories of residents whose lives have changed since moving into Retirement Living and Extra Care housing schemes with Housing 21, starting with Tom.
Tom's story
When he was unexpectedly required to move into residential care at short notice, Tom felt he didn’t really fit in.
He had a large bedroom for his personal space, but the kitchen and living room were all shared with residents of different disabilities and needs.
“Where I was living was similar to a care home,” he said.
“The care was really good, and it was a nice environment, but socially it wasn’t for me. I didn’t really feel like I fitted in; there were so many people of different abilities so you had to fit in where you could and that’s always been a bit of a struggle for me. I wanted a place that felt more like home.”
During a conversation with social services, Tom was offered a fully self-contained, accessible apartment in an Extra Care scheme and didn’t hesitate to accept.
“The benefit of having your own individual flat is if you don't want to have anyone here, you don't need to,” he said.
“If you don’t want to go out and do the activities, you don't have to. You can make your own day your own space and that sense of freedom goes a long way.”
With his own bedroom, bathroom and open plan kitchen/ living room, Tom was able to enjoy the privacy and independence of own home, but with the support and reassurance of Care Workers who are based on-site 24/7 for planned and emergency care.
“With Extra Care, you've got a home and independent living as a foundation with the care aspect on top, whereas care homes have the rigidity of the care system first as the foundation and then put the freedom on top,” he said.
“I think the way Extra Care schemes operate is better and more accepting of a person’s individual independence whereas in a more care-orientated environment, you have to fit within the framework.”
Living in Extra Care means Tom can choose to socialise with family, friends or other residents in the scheme’s communal lounge, gardens or restaurant – or in the privacy of his own apartment where he is often found working his way through the Marvel movie franchise.
Considering how physically limited I am - and that I will get more physically limited over time – I don’t look at my life at doing specific milestones,” he said.
“I just want to live as normally and easily as possible and I’m sure many other disabled people feel the same way.”