An Examination of How the ‘Household Model' of Care Can Contribute to Positive Ageing for Residents in the ‘Fourth Age’

Background: Promoting a good quality of life for the oldest members of society has become a top priority as evidenced in UK policy. The ‘household’ model is a departure from traditional approaches to care provision since it offers person-centred support - combing health and social care - to older people in specially-designed, small, homelike environments. Having gained increasing popularity in care homes across developed countries, the impact of this model of service delivery on residents’ quality of life and its contribution to positive ageing is of increasing interest. Belong is a not-for-profit, UK care organisation currently operating several villages under the household model. The villages comprise independent living apartments (bought or rented) and residential/nursing care households offering 24 hours personalised, on-site care for residents. In each village there is a range of facilities open to the public (including a Bistro, hairdressers and gym facilities) and a domiciliary community service. Methods: In this paper we present new data generated from qualitative interviews with a sample of household residents in the ‘Fourth Age’ and relatives across two villages in the North West of England, UK. Results: We examine how the household model as operated at Belong facilitates the maintenance of autonomy and independence -which underpins positive ageing and quality of life in the fourth age - among residents. Conclusion: We show how the household model contributes to positive ageing and quality of life as defined by residents