Examples of how we work with clients
Case Study 1
KM is a very private lady who lives an isolated life. The only family she has is a niece who lives in London and who can only visit occasionally. KM has lived in the UK for many years but has never married. She is a very shy individual and her main focus in life has been her mother and father who have now passed away.
When we were first introduced to KM she was not managing on her own. Her house had become uninhabitable, rat infested and unsafe to live in. This was bought to the attention of Social Services who arranged, through her niece, to have the downstairs of her home completely cleared out and made habitable and safe. As a result of this intervention KM was offered help and Priority Services4U started to provide care in November 2022.
At first KM was very reluctant to have people coming in to see her and would not let anyone wash her. Initially she pulled faces and became agitated, however once she got to know the carers and we had gained her trust things changed. Soon KM was enjoying the visits, being helped with personal care, having regular meals and having some companionship. With a well balanced diet, KM’s weight began to increase and she started enjoying our visits.
KM has always wanted to live as independently as possible which she does with a package of care that consists of 4 visits a day. We soon learnt that KM was happy to have certain staff and always engaged in a positive manner but becomes upset and agitated with unfamiliar faces. We now have good consistency with regular familiar faces and KM is happy and content. Having continuity is vital for her health and wellbeing.
The main carers always go the extra mile for her, taking in small treats, picking flowers to make her smile and reporting to her niece if she needs anything. The TV is her constant and recently it broke. Because of the good communication we have with KM and her niece we were able to organise a new one for her.
The impact of domiciliary care on KM is the best we could have wished for. She now has a family of staff who care for her and go the extra mile. She is living her best life with visitors that reduce her isolation and small treats to make her smile. KM is still living at home and is having a more healthy lifestyle with a better well-balanced diet than when she was living alone and help with the various aspects where she needs it.
Case Study 2
Pam has been a client of Priority Services4U for approx 2 years. She joined us after having a fall in her sheltered housing complex where she was unfortunately not found for 2 days. Sadly the fall left her immobile and unable to walk and Pam now uses a wheelchair permanently. This has meant a huge adjustment for Pam who as a result now spends most of her time isolated in her flat.
Pam has always been a sociable lady. Before the fall she was very involved with the tenants in her sheltered housing scheme but the impact of the changes forced on her means she now lacks the confidence to join in any of the functions that are provided. While she is relatively confident in her flat, she is reluctant to leave as she knows she must have the assistance of someone to push her wheelchair and provide support if she needs to use the toilet. Because of this Pam is not able to go out alone or visit her old friends.
Pam is lucky to have a family who visit her daily and provide a break from her isolation. She also has Priority Services4U carers who do everything they can for her with regards to domiciliary care. They also bring enjoyment to her with companionship.
Being isolated and contained within the same four walls is not good for anyone’s mental health, particularly if you have a sociable nature. So it was suggested to Pam by the carers that, if she would like to, with her favourite carer and her daughter they would take her out for lunch. It was decided that the local supermarket café would provide easy access and, with much trepidation, Pam agreed to go.
It turned out to be a wonderful experience for Pam and a delight to her carers who witnessed the biggest smile on her face as she ordered her lunch. It was good to see Pam finally out of the flat enjoying herself, although it has taken two years for her achieve it. This is what makes the difference to our clients and for the staff.
Pam has now experienced going out again. This is only the beginning as Pam is now planning more outings with her care staff. This small gesture has made such an impact on everyone concerned. It makes us all feel so proud that we really make a difference to other peoples’ lives.
