£2 Million to help older people get out of hospitals quickly

A scheme that carries out minor but vital adaptations to older people’s homes to allow them to be discharged from hospital more quickly has been awarded £2.094 million for the next financial year, Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Jocelyn Davies, has announced.

The Rapid Response Adaptations Programme (RRAP) will allow equipment such as ramps, handrails, safety alarms and door entry systems to be fitted in people’s homes quickly so that their hospital discharges are not delayed and future admissions can be avoided. The scheme is administered and monitored by Care and Repair Cymru and delivered by Care and Repair agencies.

The Deputy Minister made the announcement whilst visiting Cardiff Community Housing Association, where she met people who have benefited from the RRAP.

Ms Davies said:

    “The Rapid Response Adaptations Programme provides a valuable service that allows older people across Wales to get back to familiar surroundings more quickly and to continue living safely and independently in their own homes for as long as possible. Simple adaptations to a person’s home, such as adding grab rails or levelling paths, can have a huge impact on their quality of life.

    “The scheme plays a vital role in the Welsh Assembly Government’s health and social care agenda, but also contributes to our sustainability agendas. By carrying out these repairs and adaptations we allow older people to remain in their own homes in comfort and security. This enhances their health and emotional well-being and, by improving their homes, also makes their communities more cohesive and sustainable.”

Mr & Mrs Vincent from Fairwater in Cardiff had an external handrail installed through the programme outside their front door over 2 steps.

Speaking about the improvements, they said:

    “The work completed was the quickest response ever that we have had to a request for work and we were very impressed that it had been done on the coldest day of the year. We feel that the handrail has made all the difference to accessing our home”.

Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Social Services added:

    “The Welsh Assembly Government’s 10-year strategy for social services in Wales, Fullfilled Lives: Supportive Communities, highlights the importance of enabling people to live safely and as independently as possible for as long as possible. Care & Repair provide small, but sometimes essential alterations to people’s homes to achieve that. Through this investment more people can be supported to stay at home, where most people would wish to be.”