MORE than 100 elderly and disabled people across Wyre and Fylde have been helped by a new rehabilitation service.
Lancashire County Council's Reablement Service is celebrating having given a new lease of life to 77 Wyre residents and 35 people in Fylde who have benefited from the service.
The aim is to give users new confidence after an accident or illness, s
o they can live back at home independently.
County Coun Tom Burns oversees the service.
He said: "This is a fantastic service and since it was set up last year has made a real difference to people's lives – by helping people regain their confidence and keeping their independence after a period of illness.
"There is nothing worse than feeling alone, being trapped in your own home, so this service gives people contact with the outside world and gives family and carers a break.
"Reablement differs from traditional domiciliary care in that it focuses on supporting people to do more for themselves and helps them get back on their feet as quickly as possible, whereas home care is about doing things for people."
Patients are referred by social workers or NHS staff after they are discharged from hospital.
After an assessment, a home care worker provides a rehabilitation programme lasting up to six weeks and assists with personal care at the individual's home.
The aim, which has now supported nearly 1,000 people across the county, is to 'reable' each person to continue caring for themselves, without the need to rely on social services or go back into hospital.
Joe Slater, managing director for care services at Lancashire County Council, added: "It has been quite a challenge for staff used to doing things for people to stand back and see what a person can do themselves.
"However, there is considerable job satisfaction when someone leaves the service with little or no reliance on ongoing support."
The full article contains 322 words and appears in Blackpool Gazette newspaper.
