Charles is back on his feet thanks to Enablement Service

A Llanstephan man is back on his feet after a period of ill-health, thanks to the support of Carmarthenshire

Charles Marshall, aged 87, has been supported since leaving hospital after a hip replacement, and is now able to walk to the village shop and drive short distances.

Mr Marshall was put in touch with the council’s social care department while still a patient at Glangwili Hospital.

Following assessment, he was offered a period of support and care in his own home as part of the Enablement Service.

Planning a safe discharge home for Mr Marshall was mainly focused on building his confidence up in undertaking many tasks he was independent with before his hospital admission.

A team of Enablement Workers then visited him at home daily over a six-week period.

They helped him regain his confidence by encouraging and motivating him to become independent once again, by being able to wash and dress himself, make meals, and get in and out of bed safely.

“The team has been so considerate and very supportive and have helped in so many ways to improve my health,” he said.

“It has been difficult to get back to doing simple things like having a shower, but they have made me feel more confident, because if anything was to go wrong they would be there to help.

“I really am so grateful for all their support.”

The Enablement Service is a free service provided in people’s own homes to support those who need help to regain independence, confidence and skills following a period of illness, disability, or loss of self-confidence.

Community enablement helps by supporting a return home from hospital or care home, and prevents unnecessary admissions to hospital or care.
Sheila Porter, Head of Integrated Services, said: “The service has been designed to support people to remain living safely in their own homes.

It promotes choice and quality of life by helping people to do as much as they can for themselves.

“We are constantly looking for feedback about how our care services are run, and are consistently told that people prefer to be supported in their own homes where they feel most comfortable.”

Source: Carmarthenshire Council