Residents at a sheltered housing complex made a temporary visitor so welcome that he decided to move in permanently.
Wilf Davies, 86, initially moved into a short-stay unit at Talywain House, Pontypool, which is managed by Bron Afon Community Housing, to regain his confidence after a series of hospital admissions last year.
For the next few weeks, Mr Davies received daily support from Torfaen council’s intermediate care team and the Red Cross. As he regained his independence, Mr Davies found he was enjoying the social activities and company of other residents so much that he didn’t want to leave – ever.
A Bron Afon sheltered housing officer helped him to move out of the short-stay unit and into one of Talywain House’s other homes, ensuring it remains available for other people over 60 who may need support to regain their independence.
“I lived alone in a three-bedroom house and had a coal fire,” said Mr Davies, a miner for 46 years. “I couldn’t carry a bucket of coal and I couldn’t light the fire. The girls here were as good as gold – they looked after me and whenever I needed someone I would ring and someone would pop in. Everything in the unit was compact and easy to use – best of all, there was no coal fire to worry about.”
“A lot of our support is about confidence-building,” explained the Red Cross project manager, Sharon Fitzgerald. “We helped Mr Davies with personal care, shopping and meal preparation and domestic chores like laundry and monitoring medication. People are often nervous about coming here but they are made so welcome by the other residents.”
“As a retired nurse I thought it was a very good idea to help people to come out of hospital sooner,” said fellow tenant Megan Sweeting.
“Coming here is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I don’t want to move from here now, I’m one of the girls,” said Mr Davies, who now plays a vital role in the production of the knitted blankets that residents send to Africa twice a year. “I can’t knit but I can sew so I sew the knitted squares together.”
Torfaen executive member for health, social care and well-being, Councillor Brian Mawby, said: “Short-stay units like this one at Talywain House give people the best of both worlds, by allowing them to live independently while they regain their confidence but with the added reassurance of modern safety equipment and regular contact from support workers.”
Duncan Forbes, Chief Executive of Bron Afon, said: “Our sheltered housing officer was able to support Mr Davies through his move into one of our homes and will continue to help him live independently. The residents gave him a warm welcome and it is great to hear he is very happy.”
The ground-floor short-stay unit at Talywain House is fully accessible, with a level-access shower, fully-adjustable bed, an adjustable sink, pull-down storage in the kitchen, falls monitor and chair raisers.
Referrals must be made via Torfaen’s intermediate care team, a service provided jointly by Torfaen Council and Aneurin Bevan Health Board.
Tel: 01495 768300, or to make a referral for social care services, contact Customer Care on 01495 762200.
