A partnership between the Council and the Bassetlaw Action Centre will help hundreds of elderly and vulnerable residents to stay in their own homes and make their daily lives safer thanks to Assistive Technology.
Assistive Technology equipment includes items such as anti-trip cable mats, remote control light switches, automatic pill dispensers and daily living computers that give the user prompts and reminders – for example, when the user should take medication, doctor’s appointments, or if they have any arrangements for that day.

The equipment can also make daily life safer and help to prevent falls in the home, provide reassurance and support for the user and in turn relieve a little pressure on the NHS, the adult care system and local doctors.
More than £203,000 from the Council’s ‘Better Care Fund’ has been used to purchase the Assistive Technology that will be distributed to vulnerable and elderly people across the district through the Bassetlaw Action Centre, via its network of partners. Cllr Steve Scotthorne, Cabinet Member for Housing at Bassetlaw District Council, said:

“I’m thrilled that we’ll be working closely with the Bassetlaw Action Centre to really make a difference to people’s daily lives. “Preventative action and low level support like this is just a small intervention we can make that will enable someone to remain in their home, rather than the prospect being moved into alternative accommodation.”

“It will also give us the opportunity to relieve some of the pressure on our colleagues in the NHS and Adult Social Care sector by helping to reduce accidents in the home and get people back into the community through social prescribing. Lynn Tupling, Chief Executive of Bassetlaw Action Centre, said: “We are here to promote the independence of older and vulnerable people and this partnership will give residents across all tenure a lot more control of their wellbeing and future living arrangements.
“People are often reluctant to ask for help because it may mean that they have a fear of not be able to stay in their own home. So Assistive Technology can have a really big and positive impact.

“We work with a range of partners to identify residents who are eligible for support. If you feel that you could benefit from Assistive Technology, or know of someone who’s life would be improved by this equipment, please contact us.”

To contact Bassetlaw Action Centre, you can call them on 01777 709650, visit their Retford Offices between 9am and 1pm, Monday to Friday or visit the website at www.bassetlawactioncentre.org.uk