A FLAGSHIP half-way house for pensioners being discharged from hospital has opened in Blackpool aimed at making their life at home easier.

The Assessment and Rehabilitation Centre on Clifton Avenue, Marton, had its official opening on Friday (April 7), but has been running as part of a pilot scheme since 1998.

And the scheme has attracted the interest of outside organisations who want to come and learn from the centre's expert staff.

The 25-bed centre offers a six-week convalescent stay to over 65s on their release from hospital during which they get help and advice from social care and health professionals.

Manager Judith Buffham said: "Centres like these are the way forward.

"Our overall aim is to improve the quality of life of older people and help them to maintain, or regain control over their lives.

"Wherever possible we also aim to maximise independence within their own homes -- and that has to be worthwhile." On hand in the home is a community nurse specialist, a physiotherapist, and occupational therapist and an on-site social worker.

The centre has been so successful that since the start of the pilot scheme, 65 per cent of its clients have been able to go back to living in their own homes, despite the fact that most of them were over 80.

The centre is run jointly by Blackpool council's social services department and the NHS Trust who are now staffing a team of carers who can give support for a further six weeks in the client's own home.

Community Trust chief executive Philip Scully said: "This centre is an excellent example of what can be achieved for the benefit of people in the community when health and social care organisations work together.

"The service is specifically designed around the needs of older people for a period of rehabilitation and recovery.

Council officers also say that organisations from across the country are also interested in learning from the work at the centre.