Case study - live-in care

Patricia was born in Cleethorpes and was 1 of 4 siblings.  She moved to Gloucestershire and was married when she was 18.  She had two children (John and Leah) and now also has 6 Grandchildren.  Whilst her children were growing up Patricia worked in a fishcake factory as an accountant.  Once they had grown up Patricia went to teacher training college and went on to teach children with special needs.  Patricia then moved to Bristol where she taught at Thornbury School. Patricia’s main interest at that time was ballroom dancing which was a great social event for Patricia and her husband. Later, she worked at Castle School in Newbury and this is when Patricia moved to Chieveley. After her teaching career Patricia retired, enjoying life with her husband until he passed away, after which she became friends with a gentleman called Chaz until he also passed away.

In December 2017 Patricia went in to a care home following a fall at home and then on into hospital due to cellulitis.  Although she returned to the care home where she recovered well, Patricia’s wishes were always to return to her own home.  She was referred to Bluebird Care via a recommendation from Social Services and a Bluebird Care Supervisor completed an initial assessment to produce a bespoke care plan tailored to Patricia’s needs.  Patricia was able to return home quickly and safely within 4 days of the assessment. Initially her care package consisted of 3 visits a day (Morning, Lunch and Tea) and then changed to include an evening visit due to Patricia’s medication being increased to four times a day.

Patricia was happy to be receiving care in her own home and soon warmed to the company of care assistants who visited her on a daily basis.  Prior to being back at home, Patricia had had a few falls and had lost her confidence about going out of the house.  However, as time went on Patricia’s confidence grew and she started to attend some of Bluebird Care’s social events including regular craft and cuppa sessions (monthly) and the annual beach trip.  Patricia enjoys these outings and feels reassured as she has always been able to have a care assistant with her to help.

Over time, Patricia’s needs changed and both Patricia and her family felt that they needed additional support due to Patricia’s unstable mobility and increased levels of confusion.  Bluebird Care arranged a meeting to discuss live-in care and how it works.  It was agreed live-in support was ideal and an updated care plan was put together and based on Patricia’s needs.  At the same time a suitable live-in care assistant was found, tailored specifically to Patricia's needs.

Patricia's first live-in care assistant needed to leave for personal reasons but because Bluebird Care is a locally based full service live-in provider Bluebird Care managed this process to ensure a smooth and safe transition to a second live-in care assistant.  Bluebird Care has an internal recruitment team and so the live-in Care Supervisor worked closely with the Recruitment Manager to source a care assistant who would meet Patricia’s needs; specifically that they were a driver.

The Supervisor and Recruitment Manager conducted interviews and after thoroughly assessing her experience and suitability Therese was chosen for the position. Therese completed the skills assessment week which is an in-depth 5 day training course covering all aspects of care.  Once Therese finished her training and felt fully prepared to start work she was taken by her Bluebird Care Supervisor to meet Patricia.  Right from the word go they hit it off and were able to pick up from where the previous care assistant had left things.

With Therese’s support, Patricia has gone from being self-conscious and worried about going out, to going out daily. Therese and Patricia go out to coffee mornings, go for walks, go to the cinema and to theatres. Patricia has become more independent; she is now cooking for herself with the support of Therese.  Overall, Patricia’s quality of life has improved enormously and her mood has become a lot more positive.

Bluebird Care’s Live-in Supervisor visits Therese and Patricia on a weekly basis to ensure that all is well which helps support the Live-in Care Assistant so that they are settled and effective in their role.  Therese commented that “I am really settling well into live-in care, I have been very pleased with the support and guidance I have received from the Bluebird Care office. I have found such an improvement in Patricia since using the car to go out.  Every morning Patricia asks me; ‘where are we going today’ and I tell her ‘it is your choice Patricia’.  She really enjoys the garden centre, having a walk around looking at goodies.  We either have a pot of tea and a muffin of whatever Patricia would like.  She is a lot more positive in her approach and we have both built a good relationship.  In the hot weather we changed Patricia’s routine and either went out in the early mornings or late afternoons.  Patricia is even cooking for herself again which I am proud to be part of.  I can honestly say my experience as a Bluebird Care Live-in Care Assistant has been excellent; I would like to thank Sammie and Kim for all their hard work and support - I had a bad experience at a previous company when I first came to the UK and this time it has been so different.  I feel so secure and I am really enjoying my time with Patricia.  She is a wonderful lady with a sense of humour beyond imaginable, we laugh a lot!”

"Our Mother suffers from Parkinson's with associated Parkinsons Dementia and Vascular Dementia. She had reached the stage where she was not safe to remain in her home without Live-in care. This has transformed our Mother's life. She now has fresh cooked meals daily and is far more stimulated. Live-In care has lifted an enormous weight of the family shoulders although we do still visit regularly" Family member.