live in care IN london

Case Study

Round the clock Care

Background:

Michael is a 74-year-old retired headteacher who lives in Hampstead, North-West London. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease five years ago. Michael has two children, his son who lives a couple of hours away from London and his daughter who lives in Spain.

Issues:

Since the passing of Michael’s wife, Michael struggled with the challenges of living independently with Parkinson’s disease. Michael has several issues:

Mobility Challenges: Michael experiences severe tremors, muscle stiffness, and difficulties with balance when travelling from each room. His motor skills are compromised, making simple tasks like dressing, eating, and getting around the house challenging. Michael was no longer able to button his clothing. Michael was admitted to the Royal Free Hospital after a series of falls. 

Medication Management: When Michael has a bad day of tremors he struggles to walk around his property and often misses medication. 

Emotional Well-Being: Michael suffers from low moods due to his wife’s passing and his health deterioration.

Nutrition: Michael would commonly eat sandwiches or microwave meals. His diet was poor, and he did not have much nutrition in his diet. Michaels daughter said that this was due to difficulty with meal preparation.

Assessment and Intervention:

Michael’s children were unaware of what service would be best for Michael but like the idea of having full time, round the clock care to address his isolation and safety at home. 

Initial Assessment: The care manager visited to complete the assessment and pre assessment. We found out about current routines, routines that Michael would like to do with the support of a carer and much more about preferences. 

Care Plan Development: Michael discussed his current routine and what he would like to achieve from having a carer as well as times or triggers that make him feel unwell. A risk assessment was completed with a focus on falls. The care plan noted information such as medication schedules, physical therapy exercises and a list of his favourite nutritious meals.

Emotional Support: The caregiver provided emotional support, engaging Michael in conversation, and helping him manage the psychological aspects of living with a chronic illness.

Social Engagement: The caregiver organised trips to the London Library as well as museums and regular visits to Hampstead High Street. Once a month the carer and Michael visited London’s West End for a meal or a trip to the theatre.

Outcomes:

Michael and his small team of carers bonded quickly, Michael felt less isolated and regained a more active social life. He enjoyed the company of the carer and felt safer knowing that if he had a bad day the carer was around to help. 

Medications were taken daily at the prescribed times which meant that Michael had less tremors. Michael also felt better from eating a more nutritious diet.

Michael’s family were able to rest assured knowing that a trained carer was always present.