A Cwmbran couple have thanked the Red Cross for supporting them at home after hospital treatment. It is part of a new service by the British Red Cross in Torfaen to help people live independently at home and cut the number of hospital admissions.
This could be at a time of diagnosis of illness, returning home from a stay in hospital, after bereavement or when facing continued health challenges.
Mrs Rees, 86, initially received help from the charity last year after being discharged from hospital following surgery.
She said: “I needed to wear support stockings after the operation. They were so difficult to get on so someone from the Red Cross called around three times a week to help me.
“More recently, they have been helping my husband, Granville, with his personal care and everyone who comes to visit is like a breath of fresh air. I’s a wonderful team of people and they make such difference.”
Light housework and shopping
Mr Rees, 91, who suffers from dementia, was referred to the Red Cross after being discharged from hospital in March. As well as providing medical support, the team also helped Mrs Rees with light housework and shopping.
“The most marvellous thing was when they collected my shopping. It sounds simple but we haven’t got a car anymore and I’m still hobbling after my operation.
“Also, I can’t leave Granville so for the Red Cross to bring my shopping was wonderful. I found all the team most helpful and I know that they would have done more if I’d have asked but we like to be independent.”
The couple, who’ve been married for 64 years, continue to receive weekly visits from Red Cross support workers to help with personal care for Mr Rees.
“Someone will come every Monday. They are very reliable and offer me peace of mind knowing that Granville is getting the help he needs. It would have been very difficult to cope without the support of the Red Cross. As well as the practical help there is always someone to talk to. We’ve been very pleased with the service.”
New service from the Red Cross in Torfaen
The charity’s Torfaen Intermediate Care Support service has been running for ten years and now the Red Cross is able to provide greater flexibility and individualised packages of support to those who pay for their own personal care.
Nicola Wannell, locality manager at the Red Cross, said: “Most people face a time in their life when they need a bit of extra help. It may be due to an accident or illness, or they may need support coping with an on-going health issue.
“The Intermediate Care Support service offered by the Red Cross is available to anyone who feels they need some assistance to get back on the right track.
“The aim of the project is not to provide long term support but to help people through a period of difficulty and help them regain their own ability and confidence to once again live independently at home.”
Self-funded help for up to six months
The newly extended Intermediate Care Support service now offers a self-funded provision with fully trained Red Cross support workers providing assistance for up to six months.
The service offers both low level help, such as shopping or basic housework, and more complex care including medication support, personal and palliative care and emotional support.
Nicola said: “Many people are eligible for personal budgets to access community care services. These personal budgets give the service user the choice over what care they receive, when they receive it, and who provides it.
“This new Red Cross service gives people another option when deciding on their personal package of care.”
Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales
The British Red Cross are registered with the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) and are a preferred provider of Torfaen Social Services.
More information
To find out more about the Torfaen Intermediate Care Support service call 01633 833 820.
To find out more about the Red Cross visit redcross.org.uk