Swansea scheme to help elderly people remain independent

AN innovative new service aimed at helping older people live independent lives for longer is being piloted in Swansea.

Swansea Council has set up a short-term care and support service which is making all the difference for people who need a little extra help to carry on living at home.

The service at Bonymaen House in Bonymaen is for people who have fallen ill or have had an accident and need some support in a residential home to help them recover and return to their own homes.

Jackie Matthews, manager at Bonymaen House, said: “So far the service has been really successful. Our staff are here to help older people building up their strength and confidence after an accident or illness so they can return home.

“In the past I’ve seen situations where people have been admitted to a care home after a crisis and the initial plan is often to return home but it’s not happened because there’s not been the right kind of support. There’s a risk they can quickly lose their confidence and independence and end up staying in the care home long-term.

“Our service is designed to make sure people do get their wish to return home by providing all the professional care and support needed from the moment they get here and ensure the right kinds of health and social services are in place when they get home too.

“This might mean we’d arrange for a range of services to be put in place or it might be about putting them in touch with local social groups and voluntary organisations.

“The feedback we have had from those who have used the service and their families has been very positive.”

The scheme is part of Swansea Council’s ambition to help people live independently in their own home rather than move permanently into residential care.

Mark Child, Swansea Council’s cabinet member for wellbeing, added: “People no longer want to move into care homes. As much as possible they’d rather live out their lives in their own homes with the support they need being provided by their local health and social services.

“We’ve introduced a range of community-based services that’s appropriate to individual needs and thousands of people are already being supported by us.

“But there are occasions when even people who want to stay at home need to spend a short amount of time in a care home just to get them back on their feet after illness or an accident.

“In the past people were afraid they might end up in residential care permanently, but the service at Bonymaen House is there to provide people with the right support so they can go home.”