A 73-year-old woman who shattered her pelvis after a fall has received funding from West Suffolk Council to improve her living situation.
Brenda, who lives on her own near Bury St Edmunds, struggled to get in the bath and fell, shattering her pelvis. She then received a diagnosis of osteoporosis, a disease putting her more at risk of fractures.
She was unable to pay for a shower to replace the bath, and struggled to keep herself clean. Brenda said: "It was degrading and humiliating."
After being referred to West Suffolk Council, and applying for a wet room, she received the adaptation through the Disabled Facilities Grants.
The application was one of more than 200, totalling more than £1.6million received and completed in West Suffolk in the year to March 31, 2024.
Brenda said: "You’ve given me back my independence, my dignity and my self-esteem."
The average wait time from a full grant application to approval was four days and for completion it was 49 days in West Suffolk, and has become quicker since.
Richard O’Driscoll, cabinet member for housing at West Suffolk Council, said: “For residents it’s about improving their quality of life and supporting them so they can carry on living in their own home which is often better for their health and wellbeing.
"It is also about providing dignity and choice. The work means they are less likely to have to go into care or be admitted to hospital, which reduces the impact on health and social care costs and frees up critical bedspaces.”
There are other stories of Bob, in his 70s, who crawled up and down stairs before he got a stairlift in his home and Marilyn, in her 80s, who is immobile, now has ramps and a wet room in her home.
Mr O’Driscoll said: “These stories show the difference that these grants can make, supporting people’s independence and their dignity so they can carry on living in their own home rather than having to go into care or hospital which can be devastating for them and their families.
"We will be looking to build on this important work as part of our new housing strategy which I will be asking the council to approve next month.”
The work taking place is a key part of the council’s housing, homelessness reduction and rough sleeping strategy which is due to be discussed by the council on Tuesday, November 19.
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