New funding boosts vital service for elderly
Overnight care service
Overnight services that provide care for older and vulnerable people in their own home are set to increase dramatically.
The Council has boosted the number of social care worker teams working overnight from three to five, meaning more people can now get the service.
This has been made possible by funding of £300,000 from the Change Fund, a £70 million Scottish Government fund allocated to health and social care organisations across the country for older people’s services.
A year ago there were approximately 60 visits a night across Edinburgh with three teams of staff working in pairs. The extra funding has now resulted in two new teams coming into force this year. This increase in staff could mean 100 to 120 visits taking place every night.
Sally Cameron has an elderly mother who has received the overnight service for nearly three years at her home in the south west of the city.
Sally said: “I think the service is fantastic as my mother lives on her own and the home care team come in twice a night, at midnight and 4am, to check that she’s OK.
“The staff would do anything for you and are very professional because you do worry at nighttime that there may be problems.
“I’m extremely grateful, especially as one summer they came in and found mum lying on the floor after she had fallen. If it hadn’t been for them then she would have been lying there until the carer came in at 9am.
“It’s good that the service is being extended to five teams as it means people can stay in their own homes as opposed to going to care homes – long may it continue.”
The service is provided between 10pm and 7am and carers help with tasks such as toilet visits, turning in bed and checking people are safe and well. It helps those who might otherwise need to go into hospital, or a nursing or care home. The service also helps carers who need a break.
Need to know
For more details of how to get an assessment for personal or overnight care, please contact Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2324.