Specialist apartment helps Jean, 80, regain her independence

A sprightly 80-year-old woman is ready to find her own place again, rather than a care home, thanks to a spell in a specialist apartment in Mansfield.
Jean Cox with Coun Stuart Wallace (right) and support worker Trevor Warren, of Nottinghamshire County Council.Jean Cox with Coun Stuart Wallace (right) and support worker Trevor Warren, of Nottinghamshire County Council.
Jean Cox with Coun Stuart Wallace (right) and support worker Trevor Warren, of Nottinghamshire County Council.

When Jean Cox initially moved to Mansfield from the seaside resort of Chapel St Leonards to be nearer her son, she lived in a care home.

“But it wasn’t for me as I was the youngest there and I’m still lively,” Jean said. “I found the place was slowly getting me down and I didn’t want that.

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“My social worker said I could try out one of these apartments to assess if I was ready to live on my own again, and it has been great.”

The apartment is at Poppy Fields on Chesterfield Road South, an extra-care housing complex run by Nottinghamshire County Council that is offering short-term help for older people to regain their independence after illness or injury, and so freeing up hospital beds.

Jean said: “My flat is beautiful, with the bedroom and kitchen flowing into the living room. There are lots of activities and opportunities for a meal with my neighbours.

“I had to go into hospital for a fortnight before Christmas, but I’m now ready to have a place of my own again.”

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POPPY Fields comprises 48 extra-care bungalows and apartments, funded by Nottinghamshire County Council as part of a wider housing scheme created by Mansfield District Council.

Some of these are used for the short-term assessment of older people such as Jean who, previously, would have been forced to stay in hospital longer or would have been temporarily discharged straight to a care home.

They receive 24-hour help and support in a real home environment to assess their ability to live independently, while efforts are made to find suitable housing for them. Some even return to their own homes.