A STAY in hospital can be a daunting experience for anyone — but even more so for those who live alone or have no family support when they return home.

But the new Home from Hospital service, which unites Age UK with NHS Bolton Foundation Trust and Senior Solutions, run by Bolton Council, offers a free service to support older people who live alone when they come out of hospital after a stay on the wards or a visit to A&E.

Over the last 10 years there has been an 88 per cent increase in re-admissions to hospital of older people aged 65 and over in the days or weeks following discharge, costing the NHS £2.2billion a year.

So many times this situation could have been avoided if they had only received a little bit of help and support in the first days and weeks after discharge.

Frederick Lovell, aged 69, is visited regularly by Michelle del Rosso from Age UK since his stay at Royal Bolton Hospital over Christmas.

The former planning consultant, who lives in Lostock, describes the service as a "God send" after contacting septicaemia shortly after a fall which left him with neurological and spinal damage.

He said: "I have kept reasonably fit my whole life until last September when I had a bad fall and fell on granite cobbles. I went down like a sack of spuds. I was left with a spinal injury and neurological damage so had to pretty much learn to walk again and spent a lot of time building up my strength and confidence by climbing up and down the stairs.

"But then in December I was rushed into hospital with septicaemia and went into septic shock. I don't know whether it was related to the fall or not though, I'm waiting to find that out. It was a scary experience but after meeting with Michelle

"She doesn't just do my weekly shopping, she takes me out to do it so I am socialising and keeping fit, as well as picking out what I need and sorting out the money.

"She also helps me sort my prescriptions and medication out, makes sure my home is safe and warm and helps me eat healthily. My confidence is building and I am socialising rather than staying in and staring at four walls.

"I live on my own, I am not married and have no children, so it would be so easy to fall into the trap of staying in the comfort of your home after a period of ill health, but now I get out, see people and exercise too.

"It has been absolutely brilliant service — a God send. I would highly recommend it to anybody coming out of hospital with any form of disability. It will be a tremendous benefit to them."

Research shows that being lonely is as bad for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Suzanne Hilton, chief executive at Age UK Bolton, said: "We are able to lend a listening ear, offer a shoulder to cry on and have a laugh to cheer them up as well as collect their prescription or walk their dog. Being more positive and knowing that someone cares helps people to recover and go on to take better care of themselves.

"Many of our clients typically see no one other than perhaps medical and social care professionals for days or weeks on end. We know people value our service just as much for the human contact as for the practical support, if not more so, and this is so important to ward off loneliness and depression which in turn impacts recovery.

"This is a much needed service which is filling a gap. Someone may go home from hospital with a full homecare package to meet their personal care needs but there is no one to do the shopping or make the meals they need to recover and build up their strength again.

"Our dedicated staff and volunteers are not tied to 15 minute appointments but have the time to listen to people's concerns as well as provide practical and emotional support. They build up a relationship so they become regarded as a friend popping in and something to look forward to and rely on."

Dr Wirin Bhatiani, Chair of NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "Being discharged from hospital can be daunting for frail elderly patients who live alone. A friendly face, food in the fridge, and a warm home can make all the difference.

"NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group has contributed £55,000 to the Hospital to Home initiative to provide additional support during the winter months and help reduce re-admissions to A&E. Many patients have already benefitted from the efforts of the scheme's volunteers who have committed their time to help others."

A spokesman for Bolton Council, which supports Senior Solutions, said: "In Bolton, we all recognise that health and social care services can be delivered better and more efficiently when we work together. With that aim we have been developing an integrated care system to help people remain healthy, well and independent for longer.

"Together with NHS Bolton CCG and NHS Bolton FT, we have contributed funding to Age UK and Senior Solutions' new hospital to home service which supports people aged over 65, who live alone, after they are discharged from hospital. It's a fantastic service that will really make a difference."

Age UK Bolton is looking for volunteers to spare just four hours a week to join its dedicated team to help make a difference to an older person. To find out more, visit ageuk.org.uk/bolton/volunteering-opportunities or call 01204 701525.