Chatteris woman volunteers as warden following fall at sheltered housing complex

A woman has offered to become a volunteer warden after finding an elderly resident had collapsed on the floor.

Caroline Wood feels the residents of Quaker’s Way Sheltered Housing in Chatteris should have greater support and is willing to act as a caretaker.

She has made the offer after discovering an elderly woman lying outside her bungalow at the complex while visiting a relative.

Mrs Wood said she tried to raise a response using the red button and chord which are installed in the bungalow but nothing happened.

Mrs Wood, who was helped by a gas engineer, ended up calling 999 to raise the alarm.

An ambulance took the woman to Hinchingbrooke Hospital where she was treated for a broken finger and bruised back.

Mrs Wood said: “A warden only visits them on a Wednesday and Friday.

“I have even offered to be a caretaker for free. I don’t want to be a hero but it was frightening to see that poor lady on the floor. If they could have someone to pop around and check up on them once a day that would be good.”

Mrs Wood also states that there is a day room on the complex which is also standing empty.

She said: “There is a beautiful day centre and it never gets used as they don’t have a warden to supervise it. Half of them would be happy to go along and just have a cup of tea.”

Allyson Kay, Managing Director of Centra Care and Support said: “We have been supporting one of our residents after she had a fall outside her home recently, to reduce the likelihood of this happening again.

“We have also listened to concerns and carried out a full investigation which confirms that the home alarm system is working correctly, with no record of it being used following this incident.

“The safety of our residents is always an absolute priority and as well as access to the 24 hour alarm system, we regularly assess their needs and provide any extra support that is needed to help them remain living independently.”