Profile - 13293

Updated 9 years ago

• 6+ years
• Female

I have over 12 years experience. I began with no experience working under supervision in nursing and residential homes. I’m now experienced and qualified with NVQ 2 in Health and Social Care for Adults. I’m a lone worker working with little or no supervision. Care work is not clear cut. It is person centred. One size does not fit all and have learnt to adapt to individual presentations. The needs can be medical, cultural, psychological, spiritual, emotional or social. The care plan states how each individual’s care and support needs are going to be met in their best interest. These are subject to change. Risk assessments determine the needs. I have supported independence, exploring boundaries of capability to meet individual needs. Mutual respect of values and beliefs of the individual, family, company is important. Their rights and choices must be respected; dignity and privacy maintained every time. Good record keeping is essential.

Since Dec 2016 - Apri 2023 I looked after husband and wife, who were elderly and wife had mild dementia, partially sighted and hard of hearing. The husband was diagnosed to be in natural progression to end of life late 2017 and I cared for him until he died in Aug 2018. I supported the wife through grieving period and she came through it. I had to cope with partial understanding of who she had lost, to a point she didn't remember she had a husband. I was the mouth piece for her well being; recognising when she was sad, upset, hungry and confused. Knowing when to not hurry her or intervene when she started seeing things that were not there. The mental capacity was gradually declining relying heavily on me. I knew when to request the GP to come for home visit. When to request for further investigations.

I'm happy to say I protected her during Covid 19. She was House bound and wouldn't have been pleased if she had caught because carers would have brought it.

I ran the household. Her solicitor who was given deputyship over her well being trusted me and gave me a bank card in her name and I had the responsibility to look after her, giving her choices of what food, fruits and drinks, I knew she liked.

In 2022 her mind had deteriorated that I was literally thinking and feeling for her. Very hard to who I knew when I arrived in 2016.

She had been in natural progression to end of life from June 2022. No signs of pain, distress or agitation. I had responsibility for needs and risk assessments. From housebound to bedridden. Requesting necessary mobility equipment, kitchen gadgets and fluid thickeners and until all food and medicines needed to be in liquid form.

Until she couldn't swallow enough food beginning on the 21st of April.

Calling in medical professional who were excellent at her last hours beginning evening of 26th of April - 27th April.

I'm a dementia carer with lived experiences and able to tackle any challenges that come my way and ready to look after this lady from Monday 18th June.