With twenty-five local voluntary and community organisations working with the Council to support and protect our older and vulnerable residents, finding the right support could be confusing.
A new solution, launched this month, means there will be a single phone number for residents, making it easier for those that need it to find help. People calling the number will be given clear routes to the service and organisation that best meets their needs.
The Council has also invested an additional £750,000 which has allowed for the development of new specialist services including support for people with learning disabilities and support for people with newly acquired physical disabilities.
Called Pathfinder, the unified solution follows extensive consultation with the organisations behind the care, the people using services and their carers.
Alistair Jeffs, the Council’s Director of Commissioning People, said: “One of the Councils key ambitions is to support older people to remain as independent for as long as possible, and Pathfinder is key to assist us in achieving this.
“By providing residents, carers and professionals with a seamless way of accessing and referring to community based services, we aim to reduce any confusion or duplication and ensure that people receive the right level of support, in the right setting at the right time which will aid recovery and prevent support needs from increasing.”
The Pathfinder service will see:
- services based in the community for people who need low level care and support
- more specialist services to help people to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible
- support after hospital discharge to help people regain skills they need for daily living.
If you or someone you care about needs support, call the Pathfinder line on: 01244 329777 or email: pathfinder@cheshireaction.org.uk.