The local authorities, district health authorities or housing associations could provide flats or bungalows for rent near hospitals or health centres. The couple move in. Financially, they may either be eligible for housing benefit or have sold a property and bought an annuity (which provides the income to pay the rent) or have arranged a reversionary mortgage.
The sick partner would be cared for not only by the spouse but also by a nurse. The spouse would cook, clean (with the aid of a home help if applicable) and would be there to feed their sick partner if necessary. The nurse would bed-make with the aid of the spouse, would help give the patient a bath and all the necessary treatment.
An estimated nurse to patient ratio of 7.32 per 12 patients would be required, as against 1 per 2.5 patients in a long-stay hospital.
The carers of the sick would have communal areas to use: a restaurant and sitting room. There could be film shows, entertainments, whist drives and organised outings to keep up interest and morale - all organised by the fit for the less fit; with perhaps one of the fit acting as general secretary of the housing association.
The atmosphere would not be institutional but rather residential with club facilities. Long-stay hospitalisation leads to lack of personal caring, loss of control of daily living, bore-dom, disorientation then confusion and even incontinence.
And one of the saddest sights is an old man staggering up to hospital to visit an old wife and just sitting by her in the alien atmosphere, uncommunicating, unoccupied.
Retirement Security, run by Bob Bessell, has built three developments of 40 to 55 units in Stratford-upon-Avon, Redditch, Wokingham, Hove, Milton Keynes and Sutton Coldfield, with others building in Reading, Hinckley, Lewes, and planned in Manchester and Northampton.
Each of the developments observes the same rules: no unit is on more than one floor, all corridors, doors and lifts are wheelchair-wide and physical aids are a standard feature. Owners own their services as a cooperative, which the company runs for them. Three wardens alternate day-time duties and one stays at night. One half-day's home help is included in the service charge and there is a restaurant on site. In addition to buying their property (ranging from L50,000 in the North to L119,000 in the South), each owner pays a L36 a week service charge. Residents can stay until they die.
Retirement Security, 15 Boult St, Reading, Berks (tel 0734 503745; fax 0734 508729).