When our Advocate first met 84-year old Mrs Yardley, she was very lonely and had nobody to talk to, apart from her disabled son. She was also struggling with depression, which meant she had lost the confidence to go out. She was very reluctant to attend the activities which we suggested.
We kept supporting her to find community activities, but each time she declined until we found a community group that picks up over 75s from their houses and takes them for lunch at a host's house. Mrs Yardley was hesitant at first, but she agreed for a volunteer from the charity to come around and talk to her, with our advocate present.
Mrs Yardley decided to try it and has now been going there for four months. She says that she really looks forward to it and hopes to forge friendships there.
We kept supporting her to find community activities, but each time she declined until we found a community group that picks up over 75s from their houses and takes them for lunch at a host's house. Mrs Yardley was hesitant at first, but she agreed for a volunteer from the charity to come around and talk to her, with our advocate present.
Mrs Yardley decided to try it and has now been going there for four months. She says that she really looks forward to it and hopes to forge friendships there.
Mrs Norton is 78 years old and spends all her time caring for her severely physically and mentally disabled son and as her terminally ill husband, who has cancer and dementia.
In June last year, Mrs Norton rang CASBA in great distress. Firstly, despite many attempts over 8 months, she had been unable to get the council to fix the broken hoist, which was essential to move her son, or a leaking bathroom. She was also struggling to pick up prescriptions and deal with a new system of direct payments for her son’s personal care.
Our advocate worked with Mrs Norton to establish a support plan. The advocate liaised with the council and made regular calls to ensure that the repairs were completed as soon as possible. She also arranged with a local pharmacy to have prescriptions delivered. After speaking to Mrs Norton’s Social Worker about direct payments, the advocate supported her to go to the bank to set up standing orders to pay the care agency. She also supported Mrs Norton to fill in her son’s ESA forms, which she was finding difficult.
Crucially, the advocate also provided emotional support for Mrs Norton, both face to face and over the phone, during times when she was struggling to deal with her husband’s deteriorating health.
The repair work has now been completed, but the advocate is waiting to hear about the ESA claim, and is currently providing Mrs Norton with emotional support whilst both her husband and son are in hospital.
The names have been changed to protect people's identities.
In June last year, Mrs Norton rang CASBA in great distress. Firstly, despite many attempts over 8 months, she had been unable to get the council to fix the broken hoist, which was essential to move her son, or a leaking bathroom. She was also struggling to pick up prescriptions and deal with a new system of direct payments for her son’s personal care.
Our advocate worked with Mrs Norton to establish a support plan. The advocate liaised with the council and made regular calls to ensure that the repairs were completed as soon as possible. She also arranged with a local pharmacy to have prescriptions delivered. After speaking to Mrs Norton’s Social Worker about direct payments, the advocate supported her to go to the bank to set up standing orders to pay the care agency. She also supported Mrs Norton to fill in her son’s ESA forms, which she was finding difficult.
Crucially, the advocate also provided emotional support for Mrs Norton, both face to face and over the phone, during times when she was struggling to deal with her husband’s deteriorating health.
The repair work has now been completed, but the advocate is waiting to hear about the ESA claim, and is currently providing Mrs Norton with emotional support whilst both her husband and son are in hospital.
The names have been changed to protect people's identities.
