Home safety team is back

HUNDREDS of lives will be benefited as the borough’s service installing home adaptations for older and vulnerable people gets back to work, adult care bosses say.

The council’s disabled facilities grants work, which installs a range of vital equipment in the homes of residents in need, was put on hold following lockdown measures to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.

But following the easing of some restrictions, the service will now resume with a phased approach to prioritise its work to provide hand rails, grab rails, stair lifts and level access showers for residents. Work will be safely carried out in line with social distancing guidelines and public health infection control policies.

Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed, the council’s cabinet member for adult care, said: “The adaptations team do an excellent job, ensuring vulnerable residents can remain independent in their own homes.

“It’s vital that this important work can safely resume in line with national government guidance and residents will be contacted prior to work taking place.

“Our teams will be wearing Public Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times, regularly using sanitiser and ensuring infection control policies are fully complied with.”

The council says hundreds of adaptations are carried out in homes around the borough every year, and help to improve residents’ sense of control, confidence and day-to-day living.

There are nearly 300 residents currently on a waiting list for work to proceed on new home facilities over the coming months.

Rochdale Borough Council’s Home Improvement Agency, which delivers the adaptations service for local residents, can be contacted on 0300 303 8886.

Further information on the range of council adaptations available can be found at staywell. rochdale.gov.uk.