Homes and Ageing in England

There is a strong case to be made for prevention through core housing improvements. This UK briefing note adds to our wider understanding of the close relationship between poor housing for older people and demands on National Health System (NHS) care. It provides much needed evidence that can be used by local government and health services in respect of older people. This paper uses English Housing Survey data and the research methodology used for the Trust's briefing paper on ‘The costs of poor housing to the NHS’ to provide an overview of the housing conditions of older people, and to estimate the cost to the NHS in England, of the poor housing occupied by the older population. This older population is examined by four key age bands; 55 to 64 years, 65 to 74 years, 75 years and over and 80 years and over.