A PROJECT which offers practical help to terminally ill people who wish to remain at home has been piloted in Warrington.
The “Home Support” project is celebrating a year of steady progress and will run until November at which point it will be evaluated to decide if it will continue.
Warrington Borough Council, Your Housing Group, Golden Gates Housing Trust, Bridgewater Community NHS Trust, Warrington Disability Partnership, Warrington Home Improvement Agency and St Rocco’s Hospice are collaborating on the project.
For those who wish, where possible, to end their life in the comfort and familiarity of home, a wide range of practical help has been made available. This can cover from painting and decorating, gas safety checks, advice on benefits, aids and adaptations, replacement of boilers to support with putting affairs in order (wills/power of attorney) and support with technology such as internet access, skype, etc.
A full time project worker, Diane Ryder, has been funded by Your Housing Group.
She acts quickly following a referral, making a home visit and establishing the priority needs in each case by discussion with the patient/carer. A plan of action is then put into place.
Margaret Quormby, from Orford, has had a stairlift installed and is having a wetroom put in.
She said: It’s been overwhelming what is being done for me. I keep getting emotional thinking about it, it just doesn’t feel real. It’s been a godsend for me and my son as it means we don’t have to move out of the home we’ve lived in for nearly 30 years.”
Project worker Diane said: ““It’s about allowing people to have a choice. It’s the final bit of control they have in their lives and in this case Margaret wanted to remain in the home she’s lived in for years.
“Every individual case is different as not one person’s needs are the same. The support is tailor-made for that individual and their family. I have never been so happy in a job as I am now because I feel like I’m really making a difference.”
To date 48 referrals have been dealt with from across Warrington, with owner occupiers, private tenants and housing association tenants having all benefited from the practical help.
Cllr Pat Wright, the borough council lead member for statutory health and adult social care, said: “For those who choose to stay at home, medical/nursing support is all in place. What this project offers is help with many practical problems, taking away the worry of getting things done at home at a very difficult time for the individual and their family.”
Pictured: Margaret Quormby with project worker Diane Ryder.
