'Care and repair' in Carmarthenshire helps 5,000

The 'care and repair' team linked to Carmarthenshire Council has helped 5,000 older people in the county in the last 10 years through its Response Adaptation Programme.
The agency is part of a national charitable body which works to ensure that older people have homes that are safe, secure and appropriate to their needs.
Nationally, the organisation is celebrating the 10th year of the Rapid Response Adaptation Programme, which is funded by the Welsh Government.
Since 2002, almost 5,000 older people in Carmarthenshire have received assistance from 'care and repair' through this programme.
And working in partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council, the agency estimates that this work has saved local authority and NHS health and social care budgets somewhere in the region of £5.5 million.
Works have included small scale – but vital – adaptations in older people’s homes, including grab rails, stair rails and external lighting, with the aim of preventing potential accidents, which could lead to hospital admission.
Marking the Response Adaptation Programme’s 10th anniversary, Welsh Government Housing Minister Huw Lewis said: “Allowing older people to remain in their own homes in comfort and security not only enhances the health and emotional well-being of individuals, and relieves stress on the NHS, but by improving their homes, makes communities more cohesive and sustainable.”
Mark Warren, Manager of Care and Repair Carmarthenshire, said: “We are extremely proud to be offering such a worthwhile service to older members of our communities.
“It is always a pleasure to assist our clients, making their lives easier and safer by making small adaptations to their homes.
“Quite often, by talking face to face with our clients, we are also able to help signpost them to other organisations that may be able to help them, where it falls outside our area of expertise.”
For further information about Care and Repair Carmarthenshire, email careandrepair@cccpartners.org.uk or call 01554 744300

Case study
Muriel Butler, from Burry Port, initially became a client of Care and Repair Carmarthenshire when she had external hand-rails fitted at her home via the Rapid Response Adaptation Programme. Mrs Butler then told the agency that she was also finding it difficult to climb her stairs. The agency helped by installing a stairlift, which was funded through a Local Authority Disabled Facilities Grant.
Through talking to Mrs Butler, agency staff realised that there was also a problem with the electrics at the property, which caused the power to trip on a regular basis. As Mrs Butler was unable to reach the switch herself, she was often left without power until someone could come to her aid.
“We arranged for one of our electrical contractors to call to see what was needed to be done and give a price for the works,” said Care and Repair Carmarthenshire Manager Mark Warren.
“We arranged for an Emergency Repair Grant from the council to cover the cost, and were able to solve the problem. The electrician also fitted a new consumer unit in such a position that if the electric was to trip in future, Mrs Butler can reset it safely herself.”
Mr Warren added: “We have visited Mrs Butler several times in the last year or so to carry out small repairs and adaptations, and have helped signpost her to other organisations where needed.
“For example, when her husband John passed away, she didn’t know what to do with the disabled equipment in her garage. After a few phone calls, we arranged for them to be collected and now they are back in the equipment stores for re-use.”
Caseworkers have also spoken to Mrs Butler about home security and fire safety, and have even advised her about welfare benefits.
Mrs Butler said: “The staff at Care and Repair Carmarthenshire have been wonderful. I would recommend anyone in my position to contact them to see what can be done to help. The service is vital for older people in helping them to stay living in their own homes as independently as possible.’’