Care at Home Good News Stories
Some lovely quotes from staff who have been involved with physical activity with their clients in their homes.
Olwen came on as a client just days after she had moved into her new flat in the Sycamores which is for the elderly. I started to do Care about walking with Olwen and by doing this regularly she now has become familiar with her surroundings. We have walked round all the different floors and even up to the roof terrace today. Olwen said that she has never enjoyed walking before as much as she does now, and she has the confidence to venture down to the lounge and has even participated in a chair exercise class. Every time Olwen has a visit from one of the carers, she now keeps up her activity and walks us to the lift along the hall. She is also delighted that when walking now she doesn't need her stick as her mobility has greatly improved.
When I started with my client Mary, she only had the confidence to walk from the sitting room, kitchen, and the hall. We did this the first few visits then the next visit she asked if she could go to her conservatory and was so pleased with herself as she hadn’t been in there for over a year. On the following visit the sun was shining, and she asked if we could go out in the garden which was through the conservatory. We did this and when outside she met her neighbour over the fence who she used to have a blether with in the garden prior to her hospital stay. They had a good natter and Mary was so thankful to me as it had made her day.
Mary also feels that because she is gaining confidence outside that it is helping her gain confidence in the house. We currently supervise her in and out of the shower due to lack of confidence but on Monday she asked if she could try going in the shower while I waited in the bedroom. I did this and when she had showered, she gave a thumbs up and said I'm out. She feels that she would like to continue doing this over the next few weeks when showering and hopefully she will become fully independent.
Noticing this gentleman enjoyed golf and having googled the benefits of golf after a stroke with doctors encouraging stroke patients to exercise their muscles, the walking and swinging of a club helps move all the right muscles and bring balance and coordination back.
Today we played golf which Andrew so enjoyed, whooping when he got a ball into the hole and grimacing but quickly explaining why the ball hadn't gone in, a wonderful afternoon supporting his rehabilitation but also great for his mental health.
A Quote from Brian Kinnear (HSCP) about his experience delivering care discussions to school pupils
I was delighted to get the opportunity to S4/S5 pupils at Perth Grammar and Perth High Schools to present a summary related to “Why should I care? – A career in care”. The objective was to share what the Perth & Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership is responsible for in terms of social care and community-based health services, and more importantly to inform these pupils, our potential future workforce, that working in care is an extremely rewarding job that makes a real difference to people's lives.
These 11 sessions targeted approximately 200 x S4/S5 pupils and I was delighted to see the enthusiasm, the interaction, and the interest around “Why should I care? – A career in care”.
This approach has resulted in further Get in2 Care Skills Academy / Why should I care? sessions being scheduled in for Perth Grammar School and ECS Community Learning from September 2022. These will focus Level 1 Training as finalised through our Get Into Care Pathways workstream.
As an employee and manager within the Health and Social Care Partnership, I feel this is a great new and innovative approach to enhance and influence our future workforce, an approach I am pleased to support and be part of.
Brian Kinnear
Assistant Service Manager
Adult Social Work & Social Care Services
Perth & Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership
Quotes from service users & family
I used to be so active, would never be sitting down, and now I am unable to do a lot of the things that I used to enjoy so much. I find that difficult. However, the support I get from care staff is just incredible. They not only help me with day-to-day tasks, but they encourage me to try little tasks myself, which I really appreciate.
I have family coming from overseas that I haven't seen since the pandemic. The care staff help me get the house and myself looking nice for when they come to visit me. They are just so kind and supportive, I don't think they get enough credit.
My partner has been poorly for quite some time, and I look after him most of the time. When the care staff come in to look after him though it means I can go for lunch with my children and spend time with my grandchildren, precious time that I wouldn't get without their support.
I like to get up, make myself a cup of tea, when I am able, and then I wait for various carers to come in throughout the day. It really is a huge support system for me and last night I was able to sit down after my final visit and enjoy Wimbledon.
I cannot thank you enough for the help and support that you have provided to my mum without it she would probably be in a nursing home. You guys do not get the credit you so rightly deserve, a thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Quotes on flexible working
The test of change allows for a much better work life balance. A more flexible work pattern, Varied start and finish times, no gap in the shifts the opportunity to do a variety of duties. Be available for the service as required. more rest time and more wages.
I went for the rota I am on as it is a perfect way to invest in a work life balance. It allows you to work hard and care for service users but also allows you time to care for yourself whilst still making time for family and friends. I believe this perfect balance creates happiness and is great for maintaining your health and wellbeing.
Here is a short video to coincide with the 2nd anniversary of Scotland’s first lockdown, Humza Yousaf, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, has recorded a video message expressing his gratitude to all staff working across health and social care for the ongoing resilience, determination and courage they have shown throughout the pandemic. (March 2022)
We are pleased to share with you a letter to PAs from Mr Stewart MSP, and also to provide an update on the work that is underway to support PAs. (March 2022)
