Advance to help vulnerable older people

Advocacy in Barnet (AIB) has recently launched a support service in Finchley for the purpose of empowering older people. The service was launched in response to issues such as abuse, neglect or discrimination, which are all too often part of the older person’s world.

The Advance project will provide advice to help older people make informed choices about their health, care, social and accommodation needs. What makes the programme somewhat unique is that people from older age groups will themselves be specially trained as volunteer advocates for those in need of help.

According to a Times article, this unique feature will make the project more accessible to those who need it. By providing an advocate from the client’s peer group, the project will provide an important sense of confidence for people to voice their needs and concerns.

The Advance project co-ordinator from AIB, Heena Bapodra, mentioned the hope to provide an advocate to 120 care homes by 2013.

She said: “The aim is to help resolve those issues that elderly residents wouldn't do or may be to scared to try to do.”

Because there has been no advocacy service of the kind in care homes in the borough before, the problems that residents in these homes face have not been addressed. Advance is hoping to change this for the better.

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