Restoring damaged family units may potentially result in significant savings for the National Health Service (NHS)

Restoring damaged family units may potentially result in significant savings for the National Health Service (NHS)

The Centre for Ageing Better, alongside eight other charities including Barnardo's, Asthma + Lung, and St John Ambulance, has launched the Safe Homes Now campaign, calling for a national strategy to tackle the poor quality of homes in the country.

The campaign challenges the government to halve the number of non-decent homes, which currently totals 3.7 million, within the next ten years. Approximately 2.6 million people aged 55 and over live in unsafe homes, according to the Centre for Ageing Better.

Dr Carole Easton OBE, chief executive at the Centre for Ageing Better, stated that improving the quality of homes is a value-for-money solution that will help people to live healthier and longer lives and reduce pressures on health and social care.

New analysis from the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre (CPEC) found formal care costs could be slashed by £1.1bn a year by 2027. Additionally, the LSE analysis indicates the potential for a further £3.5bn annual savings in unpaid care costs for older people.

Investing in home improvements for older people is highly effective in reducing costs for the NHS and social care. Strategies such as improving heating, insulation, and ventilation can yield substantial returns. Upgrading home warmth could reduce hospital admissions related to circulation and lung diseases by 39% and delivers a £4 return per £1 invested.

Adaptations and services to reduce falls in older and disabled people generate approximately £7.50 in health and social care savings per £1 invested. Building or adapting accessible homes increases independence, reduces falls and injuries, and improves mental health, all contributing to savings in care costs. Preventing homelessness results in around £9,266 saved per person, with a £2.80 return on investment per £1 spent.

The strong economic case for home improvements lies in cutting hospital admissions, avoiding costly care home placements, and reducing the need for NHS interventions. Although precise total savings vary depending on scale and scope, the evidence shows that targeted investment in housing adaptations and accessibility is a cost-effective approach to supporting older people and easing pressure on the NHS and social care systems.

The new research will be presented at a special event on the cost of poor-quality housing to health and social care at LSE on Tuesday 21 May. The event will focus on the cost of poor-quality housing to health and social care.

In summary, investing in home improvements for older adults not only improves quality of life and independence but also offers substantial financial savings by lowering healthcare and social care demands.

1. The Safe Homes Now campaign, led by The Centre for Ageing Better and other charities, calls for a national strategy to upgrade the quality of homes in the country.
2. The campaign aims to cut the number of non-decent homes, currently at 3.7 million, by half within the next decade.
3. A significant number, approximately 2.6 million, of people aged 55 and over live in unsafe homes.
4. Improving home quality is a cost-effective solution, promising healthier and longer lives for individuals, and reducing pressures on health and social care.
5. New analysis from the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre shows potential annual savings of £1.1bn in formal care costs by 2027.
6. The LSE analysis suggests an additional £3.5bn in annual savings from reduced unpaid care costs for older people.
7. Investing in home improvements for older people can significantly reduce NHS and social care costs.
8. Strategies such as improving heating, insulation, and ventilation offer substantial returns.
9. Upgrading home warmth could potentially reduce hospital admissions related to circulation and lung diseases by 39%, returning £4 for every £1 invested.
10. Adaptations and services to prevent falls in older and disabled people generate around £7.50 in health and social care savings per £1 invested.
11. Building or adapting accessible homes increases independence, reduces falls and injuries, and improves mental health, all contributing to savings in care costs.
12. Preventing homelessness results in around £9,266 saved per person, with a £2.80 return on investment for every £1 spent.
13. The financial advantage in home improvements comes from cutting hospital admissions, avoiding costly care home placements, and reducing the need for NHS interventions.
14. Although total savings vary, evidence shows that targeted investment in housing adaptations and accessibility is a cost-effective way to support older people and ease pressure on healthcare and social care systems.
15. A special event on the cost of poor-quality housing to health and social care will be held at LSE on 21 May.
16. The event will center on the cost of poor-quality housing to health and social care.
17. Investing in home improvements for older adults improves their quality of life and independence.
18. Adequate housing not only promotes health and wellness but also supports mental health, digestive health, eye-health, hearing, skin-care, and overall fitness and exercise.
19. The importance of housing goes beyond physical health, as it also affects chronic diseases, cancers, respiratory conditions, and neurological disorders.
20. Within the realm of workplace-wellness, a safe and comfortable home environment is essential, especially for those with autoimmune disorders, environmental-science-related concerns, and environmental allergies.
21. With a focus on skin-conditions, eye-health, hearing, and personal-care, home improvements contribute to a holistic approach to health and wellness.
22. The housing industry has a crucial role in promoting healthier lifestyles by incorporating green technologies, such as solar energy and energy-efficient appliances, into home designs.
23. Therapies and treatments for medical-conditions like cardiovascular-health issues, diabetes, and diabetes-related complications can be supported through nutrition, health education, and fitness-and-exercise programs at home.
24. Career-development and lifestyle choices can be influenced by housing decisions, as a stable living environment supports personal-growth and education-and-self-development opportunities.
25. In terms of finance, wealth-management, and personal-finance, secure and affordable housing is a necessity for long-term financial planning and investment in retirement years.
26. The banking-and-insurance industry plays a vital role in financing home improvements, mortgage loans for older adults, and providing coverage for health-related expenses.
27. Technology and data-and-cloud-computing are integral to creating smart homes that cater to the needs of older adults, from voice-activated systems to health monitoring devices.
28. Relationships, pets, and travel plans are all affected by housing arrangements, making it essential that homes cater to the diverse needs and lifestyles of their occupants.
29. In the realm of fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, retail, transportation, and even sports, the quality of housing impacts one's overall lifestyle and wellness, reinforcing the importance of the Safe Homes Now campaign.

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