Sheltered housing

Southampton's sheltered housing for older people is purpose built accommodation with either a resident warden or visiting warden. All the flats are linked to the councils community alarm service, also known as Careline. This provides 24 hour cover in case of an emergency. Residents in all sheltered housing schemes can use their pull cords to get help at any time of the day or night. There are three categories:

Accommodation has no resident warden, but residents have visiting warden support and an alarm system which provides 24 hour cover for all emergencies. No communal facilities are provided in this type of accommodation.

2. Accommodation has a resident warden who sees each tenant at least once a week and carries out a monthly home visit. Calls to the alarm service are directed to the warden when they are on duty (between 8am and 5pm) and at all other times to the community alarm service. There are communal facilities.

Accommodation has 24-hour warden cover for extra support and assistance for the frail elderly. There are extra wardens and additional communal facilities such as a special bathroom, laundering, hairdressing and chiropody.

Communal facilities include:
• Lounge and kitchen - social activities are encouraged at schemes with these facilities.
• Guest room - for use by relatives. A small charge is made for their use.
• Laundry room - for use by residents and are open at specific times.
• Library - some schemes are equipped with a library which residents may use as a quiet area.