Right tonic for elderly patients going home

6:59am Monday 12th May 2008

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A PIONEERING scheme is being launched to help elderly people leaving hospital re-adjust to life back at home and in the community.

The Red Cross and Essex County Council are teaming up for the Next Steps initiative in Rayleigh, Rochford and Castle Point to boost the confidence and independence of vulnerable people leaving hospital.

As part of the project, trained volunteers visit and phone patients when they are discharged and discuss a range of possible social activities to get them back into the community.

The volunteers then accompany the person to the event of their choice.

People using the service are already part of Essex County Council's reablement scheme, run by social services, which helps older people to regain or relearn basic skills following an illness or change in circumstances.

Red Cross area development manager Maggie Booth said: "This is a really worthwhile service. A few visits from a volunteer can often make all the difference to someone's confidence.

"The volunteers stay for a cup of tea and a chat, and encourage the person to go out and enjoy things such a meal in a cafe, a visit to a club, the gym, the library or the hairdresser."

The Red Cross is looking to train people with good empathy skills, especially those who may have worked in a previous caring role.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the service or finding out about volunteering should call Mrs Booth on 07711 085164.