“Heartfelt thank you to you and all the many wonderful nurses who looked after him over the years”

Cavendish Homecare was first contacted by the client in 2015 after a recent hospital admission following a series of falls. The client had a history of Mild Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Pulmonary Embolism (PE) and hypertension. They had also undergone Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery and had a permanent pacemaker (PPM) inserted.

Given the client’s complex medical history and the need for comprehensive care as recommended by his doctors, the client decided to engage Cavendish Homecare for continuous 24-hour care to ensure on-going support to monitor and manage immediate health conditions and reduce the risk of further falls or complications.

Our Client’s Story…

The client had been admitted to hospital for extensive rehabilitation following multiple falls and abdominal pain. Leading up to this, the client fell and fractured multiple ribs. He was then discharged into respite care but sustained a series of falls resulting in readmission.

Upon discharge from the hospital, it was recommended by the doctors that the client required 1:1 support at all times. With this, Cavendish Homecare was able to arrange a day and night nurse for 12-hour shifts, supported with an additional nurse or carer (dependant on needs), who assisted with the handover between shifts.

The Cavendish Approach…

The client had specific rehabilitation goals that were recommended by the doctors. These goals included progressing mobility outdoors and in the gym with supervision, as well as achieving as much independence as possible with toileting and daily activities. Cavendish Homecare nurses and carers ensured that the client adhered to the physiotherapy regimen, only assisting with tasks that they could not complete independently such as laying out the slip mat in the bathroom and personal care, enabling the client to make progress and eventually go to restaurants independently using a walking stick.

The client had complications with bowel management and a history of constipation prevention and management. The Cavendish Homecare team played an important role in encouraging the client to take laxatives, consume high-fibre foods and increase fluid intake. The team consistently supported and encouraged the client to follow the dietary and nutrition plan, even though at times there was resistance. The client also had a catheter, which the staff assisted with, and at other times, the client used pads, which were changed along with other personal care tasks.

As part of the client’s care, the Cavendish Homecare team staff took responsibility for the client’s complex medication management plan for a variety of conditions. The team ensured that the client’s medication was taken at the correct times, and when required escalate any concerns to the GP.

The Outcome…

Cavendish Homecare were pivotal in supporting the client in their fall rehabilitation, independence and management of conditions and treatments. Without this level of ongoing care, the client may have had further falls, hospitalisations, and medical complications. The progress and quality of life the client benefitted from is a testament to the dedicated staff who worked with the client throughout the years.