Several areas in Chiltern have the highest risk of loneliness for people over 65 in Buckinghamshire. Our Home Advice service addresses the isolation and wellbeing of older people. Since 2018, we have visited 110 clients; maximised their incomes by reviewing benefits and bills and provided information on social groups. To date we have achieved an average of £2,232 in extra income per client. However, more older people, like Gladys, need our help…
Aged 90, Gladys lived alone. Her bedroom was damp and she struggled to move around. She received her state pension, a small amount of housing benefit and council tax reduction. We applied for pension credit to top up her income and attendance allowance to pay for care needs at home such as hand rails. Gladys was entitled to money off heating bills with the warm home discount and we referred her to the affordable warmth scheme which meant a tradesperson would fix the damp. In total, financial support of £6,400 and peace of mind for Gladys.
What we'll deliver:
- We will provide home visits to over 200 more people aged 65 and over in Chiltern in 2020/21
- We will hold an open morning to tell more local people about our Home Advice service
Why it's a great idea:
No one relishes the thought of getting older. But our Home Advice service can make life more comfortable. With additional income and support, older people can feel more in control of their lives and re-gain a sense of belonging in the community which can reduce anxiety and improve their wellbeing.
Home visits are vital as many older people cannot travel to our offices or outreach locations. At home, our qualified adviser, Max can review their care needs and can make referrals to other organisations such as GPs, Connection Support, Paradigm Housing and Age UK if there are safety concerns.
Aside from maximising income and advising on social events, Max can also provide practical support such as completing the application form for a Blue Badge.
Mrs C in Chesham said “Max has made a remarkable difference to my finances. He highlighted my crucial needs, some of which I didn’t know I could claim for. I’ve recommended him to my social group and others. He will bring results.”
Steps to get it done:
- - Up to Feb 2020: Secure funding
- - April 2020 – Mar 2021: Home visits to new clients (can take up to two hours per client)
- - April 2020: Open morning to tell more local people about our Home Advice service