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'Very satisfied'! that's what over 90% of Poole's sheltered housing residents say…

As part of the Borough's ongoing Best Value Review into services for the elderly, a consultation exercise was undertaken with all 1,400 residents of sheltered housing homes in Poole and applicants on the waiting list.

With an excellent return rate of 63% some of the key findings are as follows:

Over 90% of residents were very satisfied with:

• the service overall (a marked improvement; a survey undertaken in 1999 registered 81%)
• their accommodation
• support services
• layout of their home
• ease of contacting staff

Over 92% of residents felt they received very good value of money for services:

• 93% satisfied with the repairs helpline
• 90% with the repairs staff (1999 survey registered 76%)
• 88% with repairs undertaken
• 90% of residents felt safe in their home
• 90% were satisfied with fire safety
• 90% were happy with security arrangements
• 96% were satisfied with outcome to use of emergency intercom calls

Residents were generally satisfied with all aspects of the service and feel that there are no major changes required. Areas residents felt could be improved were:

• parking and problems with traffic congestion
• security in the surrounding area
• keen for more involvement and assistance with gardening
• more storage areas internally and externally

Joe Logan, Head of Housing Management Services, Borough of Poole, said: "Our aim is to provide the very best services to residents in Poole. These results show high levels of satisfaction with existing services and they also provide us with information to help us improve in areas where residents feel it necessary. With increases in the number of elderly, and very elderly people, we know there are plenty of challenges ahead. Having detailed feedback from 847 of our elderly residents gives us a really strong starting position. My sincere thanks to all those residents who gave up their time to help."

The results of the survey will be used over the next 6 months to provide working parties, with key areas to focus on and improve service provision. Consisting of members, residents and officers from the Council, the groups will work up the scale, type and quality of the different services that Housing Management provides.

Cllr Graham Wilson, Executive Portfolio Holder for Community Development, said: "This survey shows that residents highly value the services they receive in their sheltered housing homes in Poole. It is a great reflection on the amount of care that goes into providing these services and it is important that we recognise the need for flexibility to ensure we meet the changing needs of our residents."