Wrexham Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths, believes the Welsh Government has shown it is ‘firmly on the side’ of older people who want to remain in their own homes.
The comments follow the announcement by Welsh Labour’s Housing Minister, Huw Lewis, of a further £1.5 million funding to be made available for Care & Repair services across Wales.
The Welsh Government funding will be used for Independent Living Grants to help older people in Wales remain safe and well in their own homes.
The £1.5million will be distributed across the 22 Care & Repair agencies in Wales to be spent on home adaptations such as stair, lifts and walk in showers. The objective of this grant is to help address ‘waiting lists’ for adaptations, to maximise independence and to help relieve pressures on hospital acute admissions and speed up hospital discharge.
The funding comes in addition to a £4.77million funding injection for Care & Repair services announced by the Labour-led Welsh Assembly Government in April. Wrexham received £159,000 as part of this funding boost.
Of the announcement, Lesley commented:
“I work with a number of organisations and individuals who will warmly welcome this announcement. For many older people in Wrexham and across Wales, this extra funding will make the difference between having to leave, or being able to remain at home.
“Through successive funding announcements, the Labour-led Welsh Government has shown itself to be firmly on the side of older people who wish to remain at home.
“Support for independent living not only promotes independence and dignity for older people, but often helps provide the best environment for care whilst relieving pressure on the NHS.
“I would encourage older people who think they could benefit from this funding to call Care & Repair on 0300 111 3333.”
