Adult care service praised in national report

Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed, cabinet member for adult care, and his assistant, Councillor Billy Sheerin, congratulate members of the adult care home improvements team on their success

A key national report has hailed the council’s adaptation provision as ‘forward-thinking and innovative’.

The Centre for Ageing Better singled out Rochdale Borough Council as one of the beacons of good quality practice in delivering a speedy and high quality service to thousands of local residents.

Their report - Adapting for ageing: Good practice and innovation in home adaptations - also praised the council for helping elderly people to live a more independent life, increasing their sense of control, confidence and day-to-day living.

The report urged other councils to learn from Rochdale’s pioneering approach to supporting people to remain independent in their own homes. It also noted how the successful and effective delivery of a range of solutions helps to speed up discharges from hospital and prevent unnecessary admissions to A & E.

A range of adaptations are available to residents across the borough including hand rails, grab rails, stair lifts, level access showers, ramps and much more.

The service is delivered by a dedicated team of adult care staff based at Number One Riverside.

Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed, cabinet member for adult care, said: “It is a brilliant boost for adult care to be recognised so positively by the Centre for Ageing Better. I know from speaking to my constituents how much they value and appreciate the service we provide, helping to improve the quality of people’s lives and enable them to continue to live independently and safely within their own homes. This report is a credit to our Home Improvement Agency team who are delivering a service to be proud of.”

Rochdale’s Home Improvement Agency can be contacted on 01706 926 671.