Pensioners in Netherfield have had their ageing bathrooms converted into wet rooms by Gedling Borough Council so they can live independently at home for longer.
15 properties in the town were identified as meeting the criteria to have their standard bathrooms converted into accessible wet rooms.
Standard baths will be removed so that walk-in shower spaces can be created. It can allow elderly people to live in their own homes for longer and potentially delay the need to move into supported accommodation or NHS care.
The council worked in partnership with local housing providers, Longhurst Group, to identify properties where there was a need for adaptations.
The scheme has been entirely funded by the Better Care Fund, a programme launched in 2015 to join up the NHS, social care and housing services so that older people, and those with complex needs, can manage their own health and wellbeing and live independently in their communities for as long as possible.
The cost of the scheme totalled £105,000 but it is estimated that each adaptation could save up to £73,000 per person when compared to the cost of a resident having to move into residential care or the cost to the NHS where help is needed following a fall.
The scheme was designed to improve the facilities for both existing and future residents, and as well as having wet rooms installed, properties have had additional safety improvements such as new sinks, rails and seats fitted.
The council is now looking at ways to build on the success of the scheme and will consider other areas and housing providers in the borough which could benefit from the innovative use of the council’s Better Care Fund allocation.
Resident Yvonne Lee said; “I’m absolutely delighted with this new shower and wet room, it’s much better suited for me than my previous setup, especially after I fell in the bath and had to call for help last year.
This new wet room is an absolute life saver, it’s helped me to be able to look after myself again and given me back my confidence after my fall.
I’m incredibly grateful for the work that’s been done under this scheme, it’s made such a difference for me.”
Netherfield resident Robert Watling said: “All the teams involved in this did a fantastic job, everyone was so polite, on time, friendly, tidy; you couldn’t ask for a better group.
I’m so happy with the work they’ve done, I had an accident with the old bath here and this new wet room has helped me get back my independence.
My only complaint was there was too much choice for tiles and floors, there were so many options! It’s a fantastic scheme and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who’s eligible for future projects like this.”
Joe Taylor from Longhurst Group said: “This was an amazing and life changing project, enabled through collaborative working and aligned thinking, all with the goal of improving the lives of our mutual customers.
What an outcome and achievement to deliver these adaptations in such a timescale, to such a standard, thank you to Gedling Borough Council for enabling this project and thank you to my colleagues in the independent living team, planned works team and at Lindum for their huge and sustained effort over the course of the project.”
Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy, Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth said;
“This is a fantastic scheme and something which is going to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.
A priority for the council is to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities for our residents, and that’s exactly what this scheme is about.
This campaign not only means residents can benefit from new, safer and accessible facilities right now, but they can also benefit from the long term impact, helping to improve their quality of life and live independently.
I’d like to thank our officers and partners involved in organising this scheme and for securing the finding to help improve the lives of our residents.”
