“The carers became part of our family”

Cavendish Homecare was first approached in 2017 to care for the client’s partner who had a long-term illness. Over the years, the client was diagnosed with dementia and, as the condition progressed, required the support of carers for themselves. Living with dementia presents a variety of challenges that requires compassionate and comprehensive care.

Our Client’s Story…

The client often experienced confusion and anxiety, which are common symptoms of dementia. Additionally, the client exhibited other cognitive symptoms such as slow understanding, need for constant reminder of day and time, and occasional wandering, especially at night. Physically, the client had to manage aches and pains, swollen feet and ankles and incontinence. Due to their dementia symptoms as well as general aging, daily activities such as personal hygiene became more difficult to manage independently. Despite these challenges, the client enjoyed engaging activities such as playing board games (especially Scrabble), watching YouTube videos, listening to music, and colouring.

The Cavendish Approach…

Due to the progression of the client’s dementia symptoms, it was determined that round-the-clock care was necessary. In collaboration with the client, their family and Cavendish Homecare, it was agreed that the client would have carers for 24-hours, one carer for the 12-hour day shift and another for the 12-hour night shift.

Medication management is a vital aspect of the client’s care. Consistent administration ensured that the client received medication for mood stabilisation and pain relief, while assistance with ordering medication ensured a continuous supply. Daily, the carers needed to supervise and assist with personal care such as bathing, oral care, daily changing of clothes, and encouraging the client to maintain a healthy food & fluid intake to stay well.

To manage the client’s physical health, the carers were required to elevate the client’s swollen ankles and feet and regularly check the skin for any tears and bruises. The carers provided emotional support by providing a reassuring and calm environment to reduce anxiety, and cognitive support though engaging activities that kept the client mentally stimulated. Constant supervision was necessary to help prevent falls, as the client tended to wander, especially at night.

The Outcome…

The client’s care plan was created to address their physical, emotional and cognitive needs while ensuring that they remained as independent and comfortable as possible. The round-the-clock, personalised support from the Cavendish Homecare team, combined with dedicated monitoring and management of their dementia symptoms, has improved the client’s quality of life. Despite all the challenges, the client continues to find joy in their daily activities.