The Gateshead Housing Standard for Ageing Well
Annexe
Age-positive terminology for specialist older persons housing.
Research with older people indicates that the terms 'sheltered' or 'extra care housing' are unattractive and put people off moving. Whilst there is no universally preferred term/s, the public is seeking terminology that isn't associated with a care home or 'ageing'.
As a result, there is increasing diversification in the 'branding' that housing providers are using for their older people's housing services for sheltered and extra care housing.
Many providers are using the term 'retirement housing', whilst others are removing the terms altogether and refer to the scheme names instead. The table below provides some examples of more age-positive terminology, however it doesn't pretend to be a silver bullet.
Age-positive terminology for sheltered and extra care housing
Outdated terminology | Age-positive terminology |
|---|---|
Sheltered housing | Retirement Housing Retirement Living Independent Living |
Extra care housing | Retirement Village Retirement Living Plus Independent Living Plus |