Quick Links: Hot News | Golf | Film Clips | Short Breaks | Events | Accommodation | Attractions
Home > Angus Listings > News > Angus Care & Repair Service Helps Elderly Stay In Their Own Homes
Angus Care & Repair Service –an Angus Council supported initiative which helps older and disabled homeowners – carried out more than 3,000 adaptations, small repairs and home safety packages installations in 2007/08, the council's neighbourhood services committee heard yesterday (20 November).
The care & repair service was formed in 1994 to help residents of Angus – especially the elderly and vulnerable – to have their homes repaired, upgraded or adapted to meet their needs. The scheme is designed to enable local people to remain in their own homes in comfort and safety, and has become one of the largest care and repair organisations in Scotland.
Small repairs such as changing tap washers or replacing broken panes of glass are carried out by qualified tradespeople.
Angus Care & Repair employs an officer to act quickly with other council departments for clients who require immediate adaptations to their properties, such as those being discharged home from hospital.
Last year, under the Safe as Houses initiative, a partnership scheme involving several agencies including Angus Care & Repair, 540 householders had their home security improved by the installation of a range of measures including door chains, smoke detectors, door viewers and mortice locks.
The council's Social Work and Health has provided funding to Angus Care & Repair for 600 carbon monoxide detectors. To date some 500 detectors have been installed in the homes of owner occupiers aged 65 or older.
In addition, the service also runs a scheme to provide external lighting to vulnerable clients.
Angus Care & Repair publishes brochures on low-maintenance gardens and minor repairs, and a Safe as Houses DVD.
Angus Council's housing division will provide £341,000 towards the service in the next financial year.
Convener of neighbourhood services, Jim Millar praised the work of Angus Care & Repair. He said: "I am delighted that in Angus we promote this service, which enables our elderly and vulnerable residents to remain in their own homes. By carrying out minor repairs, advising on security or helping to organise larger projects such as window replacements, we enable our older or frailer citizens to enjoy a better quality of life in their own environment."
