Our extra care housing - the history

There is an aging population in Renton, as in communities throughout West Dunbartonshire and Scotland.

This was first recognised by Cordale in 2003 when it established the subsidiary organisation, Cordale Support Services. Its role was to support older residents to continue living independently within the local community and was run in partnership with the Carman Centre and West Dunbartonshire Council.

The Association also recognised there was a need to build a range of housing that would meet the changing demographics - according to the 2008/9 West Dunbartonshire Social and Economic profile within 15 years the number of people over 65 is expected to increase by over 9% while those over 85 is expected to jump by 21%.

And while people are expected to live longer and healthier lives it is also predicted that a larger proportion of the older population will be living with at least one long-term health condition.

To meet the initial challenge of lack of suitable housing for older people in living in Renton, Cordale built a 40 unit Extra Care Housing facility which came off site in January 2009.

The development has 40 separate apartments each with their own living room, kitchen, double bedroom and bathroom. The apartments are equipped with the latest safety features, aids and adaptations to enable tenants to continue living independently within a secure environment for as long as possible.

Tenants also have full access to communal living areas including a dining area, laundry, garden and conservatory and all residents have secure tenancy agreements with Cordale.

Cordale owns and manages the property but the services to tenants are provided on the Association’s behalf by the Carman Group and extra specialists services are provided as required these include home helps, hairdresser and chiropodist.

Susan Gunn, Care Manager of the Carman Group said: "It's been exciting times working in partnership with Cordale Housing Association. It is an evolving partnership, which continues to provide excellent housing underpinned by housing support services, that really make the difference to people lives"