Handyperson heroes
By Malcolm Ramsay, Foundations - 15/06/2011
Last year over 115,000 handyperson jobs were carried out. Small home repairs such as installing grab rails, window locks, ramps and key safes can play a crucial role in helping older and disabled people live independently in their homes.
And demand is growing. The number of minor adaptations completed by not-for-profit handyperson services in 2010 increased significantly, up 52 per cent from 2008. With requests for care home places falling, the Department of Health has acknowledged that ‘most older people want to stay supported in their own homes for as long as possible’.
In line with this, more health and rehabilitation care is now taking place in people’s properties than ever before. Social care and health professionals recognise that patients often prefer receiving treatment in a familiar home environment and this can actually speed up recovery and sustain independence.
Home-based care can also cut costs. Handyperson services regularly speed up hospital discharge through little jobs such as moving bedroom furniture downstairs so someone doesn’t have to climb the stairs. This guards against ‘bed-blocking’ and saves hospitals money. Installing a stair rail may prevent a hip fracture, saving tens of thousands in health care costs.
The simplest of jobs such as repairing a step might mean an individual can live independently in their home and they no longer need to go into residential care, saving their family or the state thousands of pounds.
Handyperson services can also impact on a person’s mental health and wellbeing. By helping with small tasks such as putting up curtains or fixing a rotten floor board, vulnerable people can regain control and have pride in their home.
But the future for handyperson services is more uncertain. While central government funding to councils still includes some money for small home repairs, local authorities have complete discretion as to whether they spend it in this area or allocate it elsewhere.
The largest provider group of handyperson services are home improvement agencies and the funding environment for HIAs has also been made less certain now central government has ended funding for emergency home repairs and un-ring fenced funds to carry out disabled adaptations.
In fact, a recent survey by Foundations, the national body for home improvement agencies, revealed that 63 per cent of handyperson service providers expect their revenue to decrease by 10 per cent or more in the coming year.
If housing is going to play such an important role in the future care of older people then more money must be invested at a local level in services that make the home environment safe and, crucially, an enjoyable place to live.
Search for your local HIA by visiting the website below or by calling 08458 645210.