Specialised Dementia Care from Right at Home Portsmouth: Shelia’s Story
A Heartwarming Journey to Recovery
Published: 27/01/2023
In the world of dementia care, every story is unique, just like Shelia's. Shelia, a former teacher who cherished arts, crafts, and music, now lives with frontal lobe dementia and other related conditions. Her passion for crafting may have faded, but her vibrant spirit still shines through, with a lot of laughter, cheekiness and a zest for life. This is the story of how Right at Home has been providing exceptional specialised dementia care in Portsmouth since 2021 and the remarkable transformation in Shelia's life.
Shelia's journey began with a need for assistance in her morning routine with personal care. While she could still select her favourite purple outfits and decide between a shower or wash, her life took a challenging turn when she had a fall that required hospitalisation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Weeks in the hospital, isolation, and limited mobility took a toll on her health, leading to muscle and weight loss and incontinence.
Hospital to Home Care: A Timely Response
Shelia returned home from the hospital in a nonverbal and mobility-limited state, with no specialised equipment in place to support her unique needs. Within 24 hours, our dedicated Carers sprang into action. They worked closely with Shelia's family to secure essential equipment like a hospital bed, commode, and Tyndall chair, which arrived promptly. Shelia's front room became her new bedroom, as ascending the stairs was no longer feasible.
Compassionate Personal Care and Connection
In the mornings, our dedicated Right at Home Portsmouth CareGivers attended to Shelia's personal care. Unfortunately, Shelia's physical condition prevented her from actively participating as she once did, she didn’t have her usual cheeky laugh or have a big smile on her face. However, our compassionate CareGivers engaged with Shelia throughout the process, offering encouragement as they assisted her. They would gently guide her to remove her nightie for her wash, or help her raise her arms as they bathed her and dressed her in fresh attire. Shelia's mobility had become limited, with weakened leg muscles and painful knees, but her CareGivers persevered. They encouraged her to spend more time in her chair rather than staying in bed, with the hope of regaining strength.
The Tyndall chair proved instrumental in helping Shelia transition from sitting to standing and ultimately into her wheelchair, enabling her to move into the lounge where she could comfortably sit in her favourite chair.
Shelia's reluctance to eat or drink posed another challenge. Our CareGivers, in collaboration with her family, provided unwavering support to ensure Shelia received the nourishment she needed. To address her unique requirements, additional care calls were scheduled during lunch and teatime.
During these moments, our CareGivers and family members would sit with Shelia, engage in conversations, and play her favourite music. These efforts were not only a source of comfort but also aimed at enhancing her mental and physical well-being.
Small Steps, Big Progress
Over time, Shelia's response to CareGivers and family became noticeable. She started giving little smiles, rubbing their backs, and even nodding in response to questions. Her ability to follow directions improved, and she began to interact more with everyone. Although challenges with medication and eating persisted, CareGivers and family provided unwavering support.
A Journey of Resilience
Shelia's journey took an unexpected turn when she contracted COVID-19, she was bedbound for a few days and even became unresponsive. Despite the setback, her family, with the guidance of paramedics, opted to continue her care at home. After recovering from the virus, Shelia began eating more solid foods, engaging in conversations, and even indicating when she needed assistance. A new chair became a catalyst for her remarkable progress, as she slowly regained her mobility.
Shelia’s husband brought her a new chair and the day it was due to arrive Shelia stood up and using the aid of her walker very slowly took steps across the room. This was a huge milestone to Shelia and everyone around her. The next morning after the CareGivers had got her washed and dressed Shelia decided to walk from the front room into the lounge, it was very slow and shaky, but it was a step forward.
Right at Home Portsmouth’s Impact
The caring and compassionate support provided by our dedicated team at Right at Home Portsmouth was crucial in Shelia's rehabilitation journey.
Their unwavering support allowed her to regain her strength, mobility, and, at times, even enjoy a dance. Without their perseverance, Shelia might have remained bedridden, resulting in permanent mobility loss.
Now she is active and gets to enjoy things such as getting out to her garden on a sunny day.
Testimonial from Shelia's Family
Shelia's family expressed their gratitude for the incredible support provided by Right at Home Portsmouth. The caregivers not only assisted Shelia but also supported her stepdad, who had been managing alone. Their dedication, reliability, and personalised care made a significant impact on the entire family, providing peace of mind.
" The carers have not only helped my mum, but also my Stepdad, who had been trying to manage alone for far too long, when he finally accepted help, he realised that the carer’s would not ‘take over’ and that they listen to how he is feeling as well as my Mum, and he appreciates their care so much. As a family, where some of us live quite a distance away, it is such a relief to know that my mum has this wonderful and reliable support system around her, and that she has a great relationship with all of them. I can honestly say that, having worked in Care myself, I have never found a company who tries so hard to keep consistency with the same Carers. Their time keeping and reliability is so professional. I would like to say a huge thank you to Gabrielle, Nicky, Joedy, Louise, Agata, Abigail, Sarah, Vicki and Michela. "
In Conclusion
At Right at Home Portsmouth, we are committed to helping individuals with dementia maintain their independence and stay in their own homes for as long as possible. Shelia's journey is a testament to the transformative power of specialised dementia care and the heart-warming relationships that develop along the way. If you're looking for dementia care services in Portsmouth, please reach out to us today. Your loved one's journey to recovery and rediscovery can begin with Right at Home Portsmouth.
