Small Repairs

An elderly lady who could not use her shower because of deteriorating mobility contacted us.  She did not wish to go through grant procedures because of the time it took to process and because of the long waiting list for occupational therapy assessment.  The cost of having a firm to do this work was beyond her means as she is on income support and other disability benefits so we agreed to supply and install a folding seat in her shower.

Our Small Repairs Services worker visited and assessed the work, priced the supply and fitting of the seat and we wrote to the client and asked for the authority to proceed if the cost was satisfactory.

The work was carried out and to the client's satisfaction.  She has since had an outside light fitted to her door through the Small Repairs Service as the path was very dark in the winter months when her day care attendant was helping her home.

These small improvements help to keep our clients in the community.

Renovation Work

Mrs E was referred to Care & Repair by an Occupational Therapist to have a disabled access shower installed.  However, it was clear that the property needed extensive upgrading and repair.  In addition, Mrs E was so severely disabled that serious consideration was given to whether the best option might be residential care.  The client herself was adamant that she preferred to "stay put" and, after extensive consultations with her GP, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker, Solicitor, etc, it was agreed that with the right kind of support Mrs E could remain at home.

The work was so extensive that Mrs E was temporarily moved to a nursing home.  Care & Repair organised the renovation and liaised with the various contractors and Council officials as well as meeting regularly with Mrs E to keep her informed of progress.

The home was completely re-wired and re-plumbed.  A central heating system was installed along with the originally requested disability shower.  A new kitchen was also formed to replace the electric cooker sited in a cupboard that Mrs E has struggled with for many years.

As well as bringing the property up to a much safer and higher standard, Care & Repair had a very satisfied client whose quality of life was dramatically improved.  It was also clear to all involved that Mrs E could never have organised and coped with the renovation by herself.

Advice and Information

Miss M lives on an island, has always been very independent and has in the past organised repairs herself.  However, feeling less able to cope she contacted Care & Repair for help to organise installation of a shower to suit her needs as she could no longer use a bath.

After arranging an assessment by the Occupational Therapist a quote was obtained from a local contractor and appropriate grants applied for.  During discussion it was discovered that Miss M had recently been talked into handing over £1300 by a door-to-door salesman as a deposit for carrying out external painting of the roof and walls, the short fall of £6000 would be collected after work was completed.

Care & Repair surveyed the building and concluded that the house was in very good order and the proposed works quite unnecessary.  A letter was sent to the salesman/contractor halting the works and Miss M's solicitors advised to try and retrieve the deposit.

Care & Repair contacted the Local Authority Trading Standards Department who put an advert in the local press warning others to beware.

To date, Miss M has received back nothing of her deposit.  However, she is delighted to think her loss might serve as a warning to others.  On the bright side, the shower is now installed and Miss M is happily able to cope at home on her own and promises to contact Care & Repair if any salesmen call.