Public Funding for Karen Fardell & Associates Ltd

This project will test and validate an innovative visualisation tool designed to guide patients and families on the home adaptations needed to support their safe discharge and continued well being at home. It will also reduce the need for in person contact likely to exacerbate the spread of the Coronavirus. It aims to alleviate the current bed blocking crisis which cost the Government a staggering £587m between 12 June 2017 and the last December 19 poll.

The space we live in affects our health and well being. Our homes are also our biggest asset but much of our housing stock is neither energy efficient nor suitable for the requirements of our growing ageing population. What if Britain’s biggest home owners could be supported to upgrade their homes so that they could stay safe and independent in their own homes for longer? We cannot rely on new build alone. Only 1% of our existing housing stock is replaced per annum and to solve the problem we need to make at least one home improvement a minute. According to Age UK (2017) 99% of people in residential care are 65yrs+. If residential care costs is aroun £39,300pa and the average home is worth £232,530 (National House Price Index, 2017) more families will be forced to support the long term care of their elderly relatives. Britain's homeowners spend £27.2 billion on home improvements every year yet the process is financially risky and often stressful because it requires important decisions that need to be made quickly and often without adequate knowledge. This project will support stakeholders in the home improvement sector to future proof their homes against their changing future needs.