We live in a society where the elderly, the infirm and the vulnerable want to take their life back into their own hands and live independently in their own homes and in their own communities for longer.
Independence is linked to having control over your life, making the decisions you want to make. Independence is subjective and relative, varying according to the individual and their circumstances. At the heart of peoples sense of independence and well being lies their capacity to make choices and to exercise control over their lives.
People do not wish to be placed into care, instead they need a service that can support their continued independence in mainstream society. A service that can confront the plight of increasing numbers of individuals who can no longer live totally independent lives, and for whom 'having no-one to talk to' is a constant deprivation.
COLSS is attempting to ensure that individuals do not feel excluded and vulnerable and shut out and alone by placing emphasis on maintaining social contact and social inclusion as well as promoting independence.
The community alarm and morning calls service provides daily telephone support to vulnerable people and during an average year, between 10% and 15% of our clients needed intervention by COLSS.