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Care Journey
Beginning
Steven and his friend Twiggy (dog) joined Ranger Home Care in September 2018. We were introduced through Adult Services. Adult Services and Steven’s family felt that Steven would benefit from the companionship and assistance of a live-in carer.
As Steven was living alone at this point, going to the pub regularly and often getting lost on his way home. He was at risk of self-neglect, financial abuse and being sectioned as he was not compliant with his medication.
Working together
At first working with Steven presented us with many challenges, as he was not accepting of support. He was not compliant with medication or having someone in his home. We had to ‘think outside the box’.
Ranger Home Care identified the need for Steven to build a trusting relationship with us.
Emma Hutcheon – Ranger Home Care, Care Manager, worked at developing a bond with Steven. Emma visited daily to ensure he took his medication, for a cup of tea and a chat. Emma arranged with the family for the live-in carer, to move from Steven’s home to a cottage on the grounds. We introduced the live-in carer as his lodger. Slowly Steven accepted the companionship of having someone live near him, to cook for him and be there as a lodger. Through laughter, companionship and chatter Steven started to allow the live-in carer to work with him.
As a team we discussed new ideas and approaches. Emma was able to adapt our approach and care package to ensure that Steven could still be in control of his life and not be overwhelmed by having someone in his home.
Steven’s family fitted door and gate alarms to alert the live-in carer if Steven choose to leave. Care plans devised ensured Steven continued to visit the pub and the family purchased a car so Steven could go out and about. Steven maintained his own bank card with a restricted limit, so he still purchases his shopping and pays for his own life, safely. Our live-in carer took Steven to Germany, to visit his daughter for Christmas, staying in a local hotel to be on hand if required and accompanying Steven on his journey.
Achieving the goals
As we leave 2021, Steven’s live-in carer is readily accepted as part of his life, his friend who is there to keep him company, to do the housework and drink cups of tea with. Quietly and subtly the live-in carer ensures Steven is always well cared for through gentle encouragement and discussion setting a plan for each day and suggesting showers, a change of clothes a trip out for the day. Steven’s life became restricted through the pandemic as his pub closed. Working with Emma and his live-in carer other options were found that included daily walks, barbeques in the garden and socially distanced visits from our care team.
Sharing Steven’s journey, from his reticence to have a live in carer, to welcoming all our care team in for a cup of tea and bonding with his live in carer Michael. Illustrates we hope how Dementia does not automatically mean a care home option. Ranger Home Care work flexibly with our clients, with family and Adult Services we care about all our clients and carers and visit frequently. We utilise the latest technology, take time to understand our clients, to work out what works, to be innovative and to always believe that we can keep our clients like Steven in the comfort of their own home, visiting the pub, and getting to be with their beloved pets like Twiggy.
Thank you
We thank Steven and his family for sharing his story with us.
