I WOULD like to highlight the true impact of cuts being made by Hampshire County Council to the alarm service for the older person.

The supporting people grant is being taken away, which means not only are the alarms affected but the service provided by the support teams (wardens) will end.

Does the Government actually know what the support teams provide? Let me give you an idea of what their day entails: arranged visits and observations made regarding health, personal care, health and safety, debt management, tenancy issues, loneliness/isolation, mental health.

The people most at risk are the ones who don’t have carers or close family. They can see to their own personal care but need help in other areas. They want to remain independent and in their own home for as long as possible.

What does the support teams do to allow this to be achieved?

1 Health: Notice changes in their physical or mental health. Support – by contacting their GP (the person may have a problem using the telephone) early intervention prevents hospital admissions and bed blocking.

2 Personal care: Unable to get in the bath. Support – referral to the occupational therapy team. May need a shower unit or grab rails fitted. Difficulty turning the taps on. Support – arrange taps to be changed. Grab rails can be fitted.

3 Health and safety: Condition of the property, internally and externally for example, damp and cold due to faulty or inadequate heating; lack of insulation, draughty windows and doors; damaged path ways. Support – contact land owners, apply for improvement grants.

4 Debt management: May have literacy issues and overwhelmed by the amount of paperwork received; sight problems. Support – read letters, telephone calls, apply for benefits.

5 Loneliness or isolation: Not everyone wants to join a club or go to a day centre. Support – a weekly visit from the support team may be all that is needed.

The supporting people grant was put in place some years ago to provide support for the vulnerable and the older person.

I am an older person and have friends and neighbours who rely on the support team. They have told me what the team has done for them.

I thought that this service would be available to me when the time came that I needed their help. To have a familiar face visit. Someone I could confide in. Someone to help with my problems. Ageing well in Hampshire, I don’t think so.

‘A very concerned older person’