Housing for older people

Types of housing available

There are a wide range of housing types available for people over 55 years and older people. Help and advice is available to help weigh up your options and to choose:

Retirement housing (sheltered housing)
Extra Care housing (assisted living)
Almshouses
Care homes
Advice on choosing the right accommodation for you

Retirement housing (sheltered housing)

Retirement housing might appeal to you if you like living independently but want the reassurance of knowing that assistance is on hand if there is an emergency, or if you want the option of socialising in a community of people in your age range.

Retirement housing tends to be built in a scheme of 20 to 40 flats or bungalows, which are linked to a 24 hour care alarm system and have a communal lounge. There is usually a scheme manager.

Sheltered Housing tends to be the term used for properties which are rented from Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) or from other housing associations. When people buy their properties or rent privately, they usually call it retirement housing. Your Time Your Space is part of Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) and manages around 1000 properties within 22 developments across Newcastle. They provide advice and support to older people to ensure independent living within a safe and secure environment.

Visit Age UK for more information about sheltered or retirement housing.

Applying for sheltered housing

To search and apply for schemes that have available spaces you need to first register with Tyne and wear Homes. You can then contact the housing provider directly for more information.

Visit one of the YHN Community Housing Offices if you need help to register on their website.

Buy or rent privately owned retirement housing

HousingCare provide more information about the different housing schemes, their facilities and current vacancies.

Clarion Housing rent out retirement properties in the North East.

They have information about all of the sheltered housing schemes in your area, including private, Local Authority and Housing Association schemes.

Extra care housing (assisted living)

Extra care housing provides housing choices to people who value their independence but need help with some day to day tasks. It offers modern accessible apartments and opportunities to get involved in social activities.

A care team is on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide planned care and support during the day. When you need extra support, they will help where they can. Residential care might be more appropriate if you need a higher level of supervision both day and night. Nursing care is not provided.

You can apply if you are aged 55 or over and your care needs have been assessed by Newcastle City Council. Please complete an application on the Tyne and Wear Homes website. If you don’t receive care please contact Community Health and Social Care Direct between 8am and 5pm to arrange a care assessment.

There are a number of extra care schemes across the city which are owned and managed by registered housing providers. If you want to know more please contact the housing provider to arrange a visit to the scheme.

Allerdale House, Chapel Park operated by YHN
Assisi House in Walkergate operated by St Anthony of Padua
Bowmont House in Great Park operated by Bernicia Homes
Conaty House Walker is operated by St Anthony of Padua
Dewley House in Throckley operated by Leazes Homes
Hodgson House in Elswick is operated by YHN.
Kilbourn House in Kenton operated by Leazes Homes in partnership with YHN.
Lawson House in Byker operated by Leazes Homes in partnership with YHN.
Park View Grange in Blakelaw operated by Anchor Homes
Trevelyan Court in Newbiggin operated by Leazes Homes in partnership with YHN.
Pilgrims Court in Jesmond operated by Methodist Homes (private facility). Contact them directly for more information.

There are several schemes specifically designed for people with Dementia.

Extra Care Housing for sale in Newcastle

Kenton Lodge offer extra care houses for sale from McCarthy & Stone

Almshouses

Almshouses are run by charitable trusts and offer low-cost accommodation for older people. Each charity has its own rules about the categories of people they can house.

For example, some almshouses were set up for retired workers of a particular trade or for people living in a specific geographical area.

The Almshouse Association can provide more information about almshouses accommodation.

Care homes

Moving into a care home is another option if you need more care and support than can be provided in your own home. There are three types of care home which, all provide communal areas, meals, a room, and possible en-suite facilities

Residential homes – provide basic care and support such as help with dressing or someone to call on during the night.
Nursing homes – provide personal and qualified nursing care 24 hours a day.
Care homes with dementia care – previously known as EMI homes. These provide specialist dementia nursing care

A stay in a care home does not have to be permanent. You might want to stay in a care home for a short period to give your carer a break, or to build up your strength after an illness. This is called respite care. Some care homes allocate specific beds for respite care; others accept residents for respite if they have a vacancy.

Care homes in Newcastle are run either as commercial businesses, by not-for-profit organisations, or inspected by Newcastle City Council.

See Choosing a care home for more information and advice. See Care Homes in Newcastle for those inspected by Newcastle City Council.

Advice on choosing the right accommodation for you

Thinking of moving home article makes suggestions of things you may want to consider before moving home, including what to do about your pets and the practicalities of moving.

Care & Repair England have made a video of a lady sharing her experiences of moving into sheltered accommodation. Watch the video online here.

They also have a ‘teach yourself’ workbook on Housing, Care and Related Finance in Later Life.

Care & Repair Newcastle and Newcastle City Council have developed an online tool with EAC. The HOOP tool can be used in a variety of formats. There are paper versions held in libraries, or you can go online and take part in a question/answer form which enables you to get results as you go, or save your results and read through their helpful advice at the end. You can also request a phone call to talk through the information. Suggested information is linked to Information NOW.

Downsizingdirect.com provides free advice to help you make the informed choices about your housing situation, including help to stay in your current home or help you move somewhere more suitable.

Search Newcastle have advice workers who can help you with any query you may have. This includes filling in forms, benefit checks, heating and housing problems and debt.

Care Homes in Newcastle is an online directory where you can search for care homes and nursing homes by county, by postcode, by town and by type of care.

Home care in Newcastle covers the agencies approved by the Council in Newcastle.

Housing LIN looks at UK issues related to housing; extra care housing; housing and dementia; housing stock.

Housing Matters audio and podcast series looks at the issues of adapting our homes, new homes and future proofing our homes for disability and later life in conversation with local and national leaders.

Last updated: March 18, 2021