Client's Case Study
For many of our clients the important thing is the need for companionship, as well as physical help. It can be extremely difficult to admit this need for help in your home, and we feel it is important to talk to each client at length to establish their specific needs and wants, and thus encourage a successful relationship between the client and live in carer. Gradually the level of support needed may change and our level of assisted living will change accordingly.
Below is a case study of Mrs J who started with support from our sister company Cleeve Link, which provides care in the home starting at just half an hour a day. As time passed Mrs J needed considerably more help with her daily routine and so Elaine, a qualified carer from Live In 24 moved in with her.
The background to Mrs J's journey with us
In 2004 Mrs J's husband passed away, they had a comfortable life together and her day revolved around her husband's career. When he died however, Mrs J found it difficult to cope with life on her own and as a result needed some assistance from a Cleeve Link carer.
Since her husband's death Mrs J became the complete opposite of the happy, sociable person she used to be. She started to isolate herself from friends and family and neglected herself. Mrs J was suffering from early onset Alzheimers and didn't want to admit that her memory was going. She became depressed and turned to drink and sleeping tablets and had a negative obsession with her self image. Mrs J's home care assistant, Elaine, understood her needs and was very patient with her.
On a daily basis Elaine would come in the morning and encourage Mrs J to get out of bed, then wash her and get her dressed, including doing her hair, make-up and nails in order to maintain aspects of the glamorous life Mrs J used to lead with her husband. After making Mrs J breakfast Elaine would leave and Mrs J would take her beloved dog out for a walk.
Elaine would return at lunch time to give Mrs J her lunch and then take her out for a shopping trip or for a nice drive. Then she would leave and Mrs J would sit and read or have an afternoon nap. In the early evening Elaine would return again to give Mrs J dinner and get her ready for bed.
Live In 24
Routine is important for people being cared for and Mrs J was happy with this level of support and had become very close to Elaine. However, Elaine was concerned about Mrs J's level of drinking and discussed with Mrs J's solicitor the fact that she may be needing help during the night. Therefore in 2006 a Live In 24 carer moved in with Mrs J. This was a gradual process that started with a day sitting service in order to build up trust with Mrs J. She soon accepted her living in carer, which was helped by the fact that the care giver loved the dog - this certainly cemented their relationship!
The domiciliary carer aided Mrs J in any way she could to improve her quality of life, and contacted an occupational therapist when Mrs J started to have difficulty getting in the shower. The therapist then advised what equipment was needed and the solicitor organised fitting it.
Our Live In 24 live in carer lives in her own room in Mrs J's house and cares for her 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The carer has two days off a week and a relief carer moves in with Mrs J on those days. Mrs J's live in carer does everything for her and they have a very good relationship. Every two weeks Mrs J's solicitor will give the live in carer money for food for Mrs J, and the carer will go shopping and buy a variety of foods to encourage Mrs J to eat regularly.
Mrs J has a good routine that she is used to and happy with and everything is done in her own time. Her live in carer understands her needs, is patient with her mood swings and gently encourages what is best for Mrs J, such as getting out of bed in the morning, and eating regular meals.
Due to this high standard of professional live in care and respect, Mrs J and her personal carer have a successful relationship and enjoy each day together.
