Service ensures people are ‘Managing Better’!
“I just want to live independently, be able to use my kitchen and bathroom and get out of my front door safely without having to be picked up by an ambulance.” (Mrs D, Bridgend).
“I am very pleased the steps have been done, it is much safer for me.” (Mrs J, Neath Port Talbot.
“I hadn’t realised how much I missed the talking clock until [Managing Better] repaired it. I feel my independence has improved already.” (John, Cardiff)
“They put a rail on the stairs for us, which is really great. They also helped in other ways, they gave us simple advice, for example, my husband suffers from the glare of lights, and we were sitting in the dark, but they advised us that if we moved the chairs around to a different position, that would help. It really did! We also got a dimmer switch and that has proved useful.” (Tom, St Asaph)
These are just some of the numerous positive comments made by the many older people who have benefitted from the Managing Better service.
The Managing Better service is a 3 year project, funded from the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Social Services Third Sector Grant. The service is led by Care & Repair Cymru in partnership with RNIB Cymru, Action on Hearing Loss Cymru and Care & Repair Agencies across Wales.
Through relatively small scale investments in housing adaptations and improvements, Managing Better helps to reduce easily preventable falls and poor health, increasing people’s personal safety, confidence, independence and well-being at home. Taking such a prudent and preventative approach helps to reduce people’s visits to the GP, admissions to hospital and their reliance on Social Care.
The numbers of people with sight loss and/or hearing loss are set to grow as the population ages, and housing services must consider the needs of older people.
The strong partnership approach in delivering the Managing Better service means older people in Wales can now have access to much needed support to enable them to live safely and independently at home.
Chris Jones, CEO Care & Repair Cymru said:
“The success of the Managing Better project is based on collaboration between three large Welsh charities, and this in turn has created new partnerships with hospitals, clinics, GP surgeries and social services teams to focus on the wellbeing of older people as a ‘shared patient-client journey’. But most important of all is that the shared expertise has ensured improved access for the most vulnerable and has created real opportunity to transform lives.”
Ceri Jackson, Director RNIB Cymru added:
“The most important thing is that older people in Wales can access a service such as Managing Better where both their housing and sensory needs can be addressed.
“Integrating the impact of sight and hearing loss into home improvement and in support of independent living has had a crucial impact on the lives of older people.
“Ultimately, keeping older people safe in their homes and enabling them to manage better is what we all aspire to.”
Rebecca Woolley, Director of Action on Hearing Loss Cymru commented: “We know that there are thousands of people across Wales who are struggling in their own homes because of their hearing loss. This leaves many people at risk of loneliness, isolation, and depression.
“Much of the support can be as simple as providing an adapted telephone or a flashing doorbell and Care & Repair Cymru play a vital role in letting people know the support they’re entitled to.
“We’re looking forward to continuing our partnership work to support even more people with hearing loss to live independently.”
