An older couple with disabilities forced to live apart in temporary accommodation
- 25 Mar
A Local Government Ombudsman investigation has found that an elderly couple with disabilities had been forced to live separately in temporary accommodation that is unsuitable by a London borough.
Due to forcing a woman in her late 70s and her husband, who is in his 80s, to live apart, Newham Council has been ordered to pay the elderly couple £750.
After being made homeless by their landlord, the couple had been living with their son and his family in the east London borough. After approaching the council as a family, they were told the only temporary accommodation that was immediately available in Birmingham, reports Inside Housing.
Due to the couple having severe mobility problems the couple refused the offer and the family split up and stayed with relatives in east London. When temporary accommodation was found in a neighbouring borough the husband was unable to access the property due to its stairs. The flat also had now shower, which was unsuitable for the woman and her mobility needs.
It took the council ten weeks to find more suitable accommodation and ended up being threatened with legal action by the family.
Dr Jane Martin, Local Government ombudsman, said: "This family was given a Hobson's choice when it came to accepting the accommodation they were offered. They had the choice of something unsuitable or nothing at all. While I appreciate the difficult circumstances some councils find themselves in with the lack of availability of emergency accommodation, authorities do need to make sure that the accommodation they offer to people is suitable for their needs."
What do you think of this? Tweet us your comments @suppsolutions
Image source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/982474
Related articles
- 01 Sep
Older people need more male carers
Professor Martin Green has said that the government needs to do more to recruit males into front-line adult social care roles, reports the BBC.Prof Green has said that with the increasing number of...
- 25 Aug
Survey finds older people have better quality of life in retirement villages than care homes
Chief executive of Audley Retirement, Nick Sanderson, has said that demand for his form of extra-care housing was so strong he could not build homes fast enough, reports the Guardian.He said: “I...
- 12 Aug
Older people’s Commissioner disappointed by Welsh Government
Sarah Rochira, Wale’s Commissioner for older people has said she is “extremely disappointed” at the response from the Welsh Government to its call for action to protect residents in care homes,...
- 31 Jul
Charity warns of loneliness in older people
The Campaign to End Loneliness charity want a “range of support” for older people to help them fight loneliness, reports the BBC. The charity says that transport and technology are essential to...
- 27 Jul
New housing for older people promised
Members of Kensington and Chelsea’s cabinet have decided to create 150 new homes for older people on the site of a care home that closed down in 2014 due to Legionella, reports Get West...
- 22 Jul
New drug provides hope for older people with Parkinsons
Scientists have found that people taking glitazone pills were less likely to develop Parkinson’s than people taking other diabetes drugs. However, they have cautioned that the drugs could have...
- 15 Jul
Lack in dignity when caring for older people in hospital
In a poll from 2012 it has been found that poor care is most likely to be experienced by people over the age of 80, reports the BBC. Over a third of patients who need help at mealtimes did not...
- 09 Jul
New housing development for older people in Sunderland
A 16.3m housing and care scheme has been opened by the Leader of Sunderland Council, reports Sunderland Echo.The accommodation provides 158 two-bedroom apartments for older people and 17 one bed...
- 07 Jul
Social care cuts leaving older people stranded
Age UK is calling on Chancellor George Osborne to put an end to cuts to social care funding due to the increasing rate the older population is growing, reports the Yorkshire Post. Age UK has...
- 01 Jul
Charity wants priority for older people in housing
Erosh represents organisation providing housing and support to 120,000 older people and has written to new government ministers in opposition, reports Inside Housing.The letter calls on ministers to...
Responding to the DWP Consultation: Housing Benefit Reform - Supported Housing "Sincere thanks to Michael Patterson for an excellent presentation on the HB Reform issues in Leeds last week, and for all the very helpful info and links. I do intend to respond on behalf of our organisation, Caring For Life, but feel that Support Solutions' response is excellent." E.S. - Caring for Life
