Montfort Care’s Post

The passage of the new Aged Care Bill in Federal Parliament this week is good news. Providers and their architects can now confidently proceed with important reforms like the new Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines. KPA Architects have prepared for this moment by having a range of design options to enable more home-like environments that better meet the needs of residents in Western Australia.

🔊"While occupants were generally very satisfied with the improvements to their homes, our research suggests that if agencies worked together rather than in isolation, they could have a greater positive impact," said Simon Nicol, BRE Head of Housing Centre. 📄 "Housing Conditions and Integrated Care of Older People" is a new report exploring the links between #housing conditions and the health of older people in South Dublin. This research aims to inform housing providers such as local authorities and healthcare providers about key aspects of healthy homes and hazards experienced by older people. With key hazards identified including damp, mould and excessive cold and heat, the report found a healthy indoor temperature to be around 21°C, with serious health risks occurring below 16°C. BRE were invited to contribute to this new report, following our work on the 2020 report, “The Cost of Poor Housing in Ireland,” which found around 160,000 (8%) of Irish homes are likely to present a serious health and safety risk to occupants. To help conduct the study, BRE joined a research team consisting of TrinityHaus Research Centre, Tallaght University Hospital and Age Friendly Ireland, working with a range of partners including The Housing Agency Ireland, Age Action Ireland, South Dublin County Council, Meath County Council and the The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) at the National Disability Authority. Read more on this report: https://lnkd.in/e5pFVrqw #builtenvironment

The Australian Government’s new Aged Care Design Principles are set to create more welcoming, home-like environments for older Australians. These guidelines focus on enhancing quality of life, independence, safety, and dignity for residents through improved accommodation standards and thoughtful design. Principle 1 - Enable the Person To support people living in a place that maintains their health, well-being and sense of identity. Principle 2 - Cultivate a Home To create a familiar environment in which people have privacy, control and feel they belong. Principle 3 - Access the Outdoors To support people seeing, accessing and spending time outdoors in contact with nature. Principle 4 - Connect with Community To encourage people to connect with family, friends and community, continuing to participate in meaningful activities. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gCBPWViN #agedcare #agedcarehome #seniors #agedcaredesign #agedcarehomes #design

As we all take time out for Christmas, I look forward to the New Year where I hope Government will address: Q: “What steps are being taken to ensure that, following the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in December 2024, the forthcoming National Planning Policy Practice Guidance (NPPG) in January 2025 will consider the findings of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce (OPHT) report, also released in December? It is essential that the guidance adequately addresses how Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) can better meet the needs of our ageing population in their planning and decision-making processes."   A: The OPHT report recommends reforms of the NPPG and the National Model Design Code (NMDC) should include:   1. Positively profile OPH/LLH and include specific agreed requirements for LPAs to make provision, allocate sufficient land in varied locations (town centre to greenfield) and recognise the nuances of the form and function of the various types of OPH/LLH to ensure the viable delivery of sufficient OPH/LLH. 2. Language needs to give significant weight to the urgency of provision and to ensure that planning for OPH/LLH is aligned with local objectives, supports wellbeing and community integration and delivers viable high-quality design and the provision of social infrastructure. There should be consistent use of shared definitions, policies, and requirements through the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) and adopted locally in the Local Plan 3. Sufficient land needs to be made available to support the volumes of new supply needed. 4. Any land allocated for any major development or adjacent to an existing settlement or where a new settlement is to be established, the principles of age-friendly and inclusive placemaking should be deemed essential. 5. Make clear all forms of housing for senior citizens and health and social care workers contribute towards the overall housing numbers, as well as, having distinct characteristics of benefit. Guidance relating to land use should be clear that the overall need cannot be met by over-provision in one subcategory of OPH/LLH at the expense of others. Understanding how housing needs evolve as individuals age is crucial to achieving the right housing mix in each area and enabling housing and placemaking industries to promote healthy living more effectively. “   Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. With particular thanks to all those who contributed to the thinking behind the #OPHFTreport

The Australian Government’s new Aged Care Design Principles are set to create more welcoming, home-like environments for older Australians. These guidelines focus on enhancing residents' quality of life, independence, safety, and dignity through improved accommodation standards and thoughtful design. Principle 1 - Enable the Person To support people living in a place that maintains their health, well-being and sense of identity. Principle 2 - Cultivate a Home To create a familiar environment in which people have privacy, control and feel they belong. Principle 3 - Access the Outdoors To support people seeing, accessing and spending time outdoors in contact with nature. Principle 4 - Connect with Community To encourage people to connect with family, friends and community, continuing to participate in meaningful activities. You can read more about these new aged care design principles (and see example drawings of the concepts) here: https://lnkd.in/g3SNrbb3 #agedcare #agedcarehome #seniors #agedcaredesign #agedcarehomes #design

Fortune launches the third annual Fortune 50 Best Places to Live for Families 2024, showcasing the cities and towns across America that best support the unique needs of multigenerational families. Two cities—top-ranked Silver Spring, MD, and Portsmouth, NH—made the top 10 for the second year in a row. Iowa City is the only locale to make the list three years in a row. This year’s Fortune 50 Best Places to Live highlights a city in each state where multigenerational families are most likely to have access to great schools, highly recommended hospitals, affordable housing, resources for older adults, and a strong sense of community. The ranking is created annually as part of Fortune Well, Fortune’s health and wellness hub, which features tips and insights working professionals need to thrive in their careers and personal lives. To access the complete list, read more. https://lnkd.in/euasSuHP

Older People's Housing Taskforce report Recommendation 4 - Create age-friendly, dementia-inclusive, faith and culture-sensitive communities. Because the community beyond the front door - the built environment, local infrastructure, communities and mutual support - enables people to live independently and well, whatever housing they choose to live in. Here, our collective ambition should be to ensure all senior citizens and their families have accessible and inclusive amenities, community connections and open spaces within easy reach of their homes. New and existing communities should be connected and curated to meet the needs of our ageing society. Where new communities are established or where regeneration is planned, all new public realm should be landscape-led, designed for health and wellbeing outcomes and should be age- friendly, dementia inclusive, faith and culture-sensitive; whilst being well-designed, attractive and promoting independence. The mix of housing would be varied and incorporate a full spectrum of housing typologies appropriate for an ageing and diverse society but planned to encourage mutual support through intergenerational living and social prescribing. What do you think? See #OPHTreport

Conversations around a unique housing model called home-sharing/co-housing are set to reignite the exploration of intergenerational living right here in Australia with a free webinar on Wednesday highlighting one aged care provider's new project. https://lnkd.in/gbYxwGbP

As we age, the concept of "aging in place" becomes more than just a practical choice—it’s about creating a supportive, nurturing environment that helps us maintain our independence while feeling connected and valued. Community support plays a crucial role in this journey. From local services and resources to a network of caring neighbors and friends, the strength of a community can significantly enhance the quality of life for older adults. Here’s why it matters: Social Connection: Regular interaction with community members helps combat loneliness and social isolation – keeping us engaged, both mentally and emotionally. Access to Resources: Local organizations can provide essential services like transportation, home maintenance, and healthcare, making it easier to live comfortably at home. Empowerment and Inclusion: When communities prioritize inclusivity, they empower older adults to remain active participants, contributing their wisdom and experience to the collective good. The article linked below is a great example of a community supporting residents to age in place.  Let’s work together to build and sustain communities that support aging in place with dignity, respect, and compassion. #AgingInPlace #CommunitySupport #OlderAdults #AgeFriendlyCommunities https://lnkd.in/gKku6V9p

Imagine a vibrant community where caregivers and older adults live side by side, sharing meals, activities, and even a little bit of daily life. 🙌🏼 #Carehaus is turning this vision into reality with its innovative intergenerational cohousing model in Baltimore, Maryland. The concept combines affordable, stylish living with top-notch care, making it a game-changer in senior housing. What do you think about this groundbreaking approach? Could this be the future of senior living? 🤔🏡 #SeniorLiving #ElderCare #FloridaElderLaw #LegacyPlanning #ElderRights #EstateLaw #TampaEstatePlanning