Welcome to Age UK Harrow's new and regular Blog. I will be sharing information with you about our members, staff, volunteers and projects. I would like to start this week’s Blog to tell you about our Star Trustee and volunteer Ann Groves. Ann was recently awarded Harrow's outstanding volunteer award, this was a fitting tribute to a person who spends her entire life giving to others. I wish I had half the energy Ann has! Her knowledge of the local community is amazing and this has helped to stabilise the local volunteer organisation following the huge changes voluntary organisations have had to deal with. Ann is a very modest person who does not like to blow her own trumpet but is important we value Ann who is a shining examples of what older people can offer to our society and is a formidable chair of the Harrow Association for the Disabled.

Age UK Harrow undertakes a huge level of work and I wanted to talk a little about the work we do to reduce the amount of time older people spend in Hospital. 

We provide practical support to people to remain independent at home. Sometimes a hospital stay can make an older person lose confidence in managing independently at home.
Our support helps to increase confidence and make an easy transition from hospital to home.

This service has three elements:
•         Home Support: One to one practical support to access services, social groups and signpost people to appropriate services.
•         Falls Prevention: One to one, individually tailored, chair based exercise support to strengthen muscles, build stamina and prevent risk of falls (Otago).
•         Night Care: Personal care for one or two nights following early hospital discharge or night care instead of a hospital admission where there is no clinical condition but the need for personal care for a few nights.

Our Objective
The main aim is to prevent older people from being admitted and re-admitted to hospital and support patients in their own homes especially after a hospital stay. The objective is to understand individual needs and support and signpost clients to an appropriate service.

How will we do this?
The Co-ordinator assesses people at home following their discharge from hospital or a referral from the Hospital Teams, GP or Social Services to discuss their situation and determine what help might be needed. If suitable, we match the client with a volunteer. Our support covers a six visits usually comprising of a weekly visit and may involve one to one falls prevention exercise support, practical support, and help with participating in activities or social groups. The night care service is to support patients with personal care needs on being discharged early from the hospital.

The tasks
Our volunteers provide social support helping clients to regain their confidence and independence after a hospital stay. During this time, they will provide some practical assistance such as organizing prescription collections, one to one exercise to strengthen muscle and improve balance, reading post and information on local social activities.

Referrals
Referrals are accepted from the GPs, STARRS team at Northwick Park Hospital district nurse, hospital discharge teams and  occupational therapist and social services. Please complete the referral form (downloads listed below)and return it by email or fax to 020 861 7981.

Please note we do not take self referrals. If you are interested in our service, kindly contact your GP or the concerned health professionals to make a referral.

For more information on the service please contact:
Home not Hospital Services Manager
Age UK Harrow
Premier House
1 Canning Road
Harrow
HA3 7TS

Telephone: 020 8861 7994 / 07952 134532
Fax: 020 8861 7981
Email: cdecaires@ageukharrow.org.uk; or ageuk.harrow@nhs.net
Office hours: Monday - Friday 9.00am - 4.00pm

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog.