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Mears Home Improvement Service
Mr P is blind and was finding it difficult to use his cooker controls which was potentially a fire hazard. The RNIB provided Mr P with a new panel with Braille controls but neither they nor the Local Authority could fit the replacement panel. Mr P's utility company quoted more than £100 to do it!
The housing authority referred Mr P to The Mears Leicestershire Handyperson Service who fitted the panel and, because he was in receipt of a means tested benefit, he was exempt from the labour charge.
While he was there Mears' Handyperson offered to carry out a Home Safety Check and flagged up several potential trip hazards and with Mr P's agreement returned to rectify these on a second visit. Mr P's quality of life has improved and his living environment is now considerably safer too.
Health and well-being, socialisation and community integration and homes fit for purpose are all key elements in keeping people living happily, safely and securely at home.
Falls are one of the major reasons for people losing their independence, a fall can lead to a long stay in hospital or loss of mobility or confidence. The current system means that when a care-services worker spots a problem in the home they report it to their Supervisor who lets the Manager know. They contact social services who, in turn, make a report to the landlord who put sin a request to a provider for an adaptation or repair. If the care-services provider and housing maintenance provider are part of the same team then the response could be virtually immediate.
Integrating these services brings distinct advantages: care-services workers are uniquely placed to identify potential problems or hazards that could cause an accident and giving them direct access to a complete range of services enables preventative measures to be taken quickly.
Older vulnerable people inevitably have concerns when they are visited by tradespeople, they may forget that an arrangement has been made or suffer some sensory loss which makes communication difficult. Integrated services would enable repairs to be carried out with the reassuring support of a care-services worker.