The ExtraCare Charitable Trust

Well-Being Nurse Appeal

ExtraCare’s award-winning Well-being Service supports residents to regain as much independence as possible and to be proactive in managing their own health. Well-being Advisers (RGNs) empower residents to make informed decisions about their lifestyle and health via Well-being Assessments developed by ExtraCare to address older people’s needs. Between baseline assessment and follow-up, residents achieve, on average, a 12% improvement across 10 key indicators.

Background & Key Findings

Prior to the introduction of the Well-being Service, a survey at one scheme revealed that 75% of those living independently had not accessed their GP within the last year, perceiving ill health, discomfort and disability as a natural consequence of getting older.

The pilot Well-being Service in two schemes identified 122 previously undetected and untreated conditions amongst a population of 135 people.

As a result of one Adviser’s timely intervention, in one month in 2007 3 residents received diagnosis of cancer and successful early treatment.

Common issues identified include high blood pressure, urinary tract infection and diet.

One village estimates a saving of 500 hospital bed days per annum as a result of reduced unplanned admissions.

Minimal intervention can significantly improve quality of life: 105 people were identified with hearing loss, of which 48 benefited from almost immediate improvement due to ear syringing, hearing aid repair/adjustment, etc.

The service is free to residents and, to date, has been charitably funded. The cost to ExtraCare of providing the service is over £250,000 pa.

Osteoporosis

As part of the Well-being Assessment, each resident is risk assessed for osteoporosis and, if appropriate, referred to their GP for treatment. Osteoporosis is often goes undetected and is a significant contributor to broken bones arising from falls, which can lead to premature death.

Well-being Ambassadors

Over 600 resident-volunteers actively support the service as Well-being Ambassadors, running health and activity related interest groups, including weight management, Tai Chi and Reiki.

Well-being Express

Department of Health Section 64 funding has supported the development of the Well-being Ambassador role and the Well-being Express assessment (ie. mini assessments available to social club members, relatives, volunteers, staff).

More than 10% of people having an Express Assessment were referred to the GP for further help. The majority of referrals related to having undetected high blood pressure.

National Recognition

ExtraCare’s Well-being Service has received national recognition at the following awards:

Winner of Healthcare Outcomes category at Laing & Buisson Independent Healthcare Awards 2007

Highly Commended – Older People and Disability category, Care Services Improvement Partnership Positive Practice Awards 2006

Highly Commended in the Research, Advice and Support category at the CAF & The Times Charity Awards 2006

Our preventative Well-being Services has also been cited as an example of best practice in the Department of Health, Housing Learning Improvement Network Policy Briefing on Long Term Conditions.