Towards social housing that affords positive healthy outcomes for an ageing population: A transdisciplinary approach

Robathan, Paull

Abstract

This study demonstrates the linkage between design and management of social housing and the wellbeing of older residents and creates a conceptual model of the affordances offered by housing for their health and wellbeing. The conceptual model identifies the interrelationship between the disciplines of housing, health, wellbeing, design and technology and has been validated by reference to a panel of experts in the field Evidence drawn from significant longitudinal data confirms that older residents in social housing are in general more at risk from , and less able to respond to, life events such as long term medical conditions or disability. Primary data analysis is presented of the strategies being adopted to radically re-task health and wellbeing provision and the reasons for ‘Delayed Transfer of Care’. The wide variation of appreciation across England of the contribution housing makes to health quality is clearly identified. This study contributes to enhanced knowledge of the interrelationship between social housing and the health and wellbeing of older residents. The conceptual model presented is a contribution to knowledge of a mechanism of transdisciplinary research that facilitates collaborative research across diverse disciplines (housing, health, assistive technology, occupational therapy, well-being, energy efficiency, social care and others) and supports a deeper understanding of the alternative sustainable options for funding and delivering real savings across the whole realm of housing and health through the mechanism of affordances. The effective implementation of technology to support monitoring of properties would result in lower maintenance costs for housing providers. Enhancing the communications capability for residents for remote health monitoring, telecare and inter-personal communication would alleviate loneliness and lack of community cohesion while enhancing access to health care. Crossing the borders between design, housing, technology, health and social care would create a more holistic and systemic approach to housing that can lead to an enhanced lifecourse experience as occupants age. It is concluded that a disproportionate number of older, less well-off, less healthy and less resilient people live in homes managed by Local Councils, Housing Associations and other Social Housing providers compared with all residents in housing of other tenures. Utilising capital at low cost of funding due to the predictable return on investment houses can be built with full accessibility for all potential occupiers, sustainable heating and ventilation to minimise mould, airborne particulates and cold and damp that cause many of the admissions to hospital for occupiers.

Citation

Robathan, P. Towards social housing that affords positive healthy outcomes for an ageing population: A transdisciplinary approach. (Thesis). University of the West of England. Retrieved from https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1490897

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 19, 2020
• Keywords: social housing, affordable housing, health, wellbeing, transdisciplinarity, affordance, ageing, emerging technology
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1490897
• Award Date: Oct 19, 2020