Ken is 70 years old. He worked at the shipyard all his adult life, up until retiring 10 years ago. Ken was looking forward to an active retirement. He and his wife Ann enjoyed socialising with friends and travelling. Ken was also looking forward to fishing more regularly. For the first few years their retirement went to plan but then Ann started showing symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease and was diagnosed six years ago.
At first this didn’t impact too much on their lives other than Ann needing reminders with certain tasks. However, as the Alzheimer's Disease progressed, Ann needed more and more help with daily living tasks. She became distressed when she had been out for a while, so Ken would need to take her home. Eventually she didn’t like going out at all so Ken went out on his own while a friend sat with Ann. However, he knew that Ann didn’t like being away from him, so he would only do what was necessary and then go straight home.
As Ann’s illness progressed, her friend didn’t like being on her own with her, so she did Ken’s shopping and Ken stopped going out. Their friends visited less and less, and Ken lost touch with his fishing friends and became more and more isolated.
He said he didn’t mind as he loved Ann and married her 'in sickness and in health' so he would carry on looking after her as long as he could. Ken now has his own health concerns, he is looking very tired and his time is totally focused on caring for Ann.
Ken knows he needs to go to the doctor’s but he can’t leave Ann and doesn’t know how long he will have to wait at the surgery. So he keeps putting off making an appointment.
There is a variety of support available to Ken.
Request a Carer's Needs Assessment to look at how Ken can be supported
Support Ken to make a GP appointment and inform the surgery he is a Carer and can't leave his wife
Support Ken to request a mental health referral for Ann
Following the contact with the local Carer Support Organisation, Ken has had a Carer's Needs Assessment. The Support Worker has listened to Ken and recognises the impact that caring is having on his life. He is isolated, has lost touch with his friends, and his life is totally focused on his caring role. He has health concerns that he is neglecting and was tearful and emotional throughout the assessment.
The Support Worker spoke to Ken about his health concerns, and as a priority, supported him to make a GP appointment. He is now receiving the treatment he needs for his health condition and is feeling much better. He has registered as a Carer at his GP surgery, so they are aware of his caring role and the demands on his time.
Ken has also had contact with the Alzheimer’s Society, which is helping him understand his wife’s condition and how he can support her. The Support Worker also suggested that one of their Carer Support IT volunteers came to Ken’s house and helped him set up his computer and he is now able to do online shopping. He's also got in touch with friends via Skype and social media.
Ken is now able to fish once a fortnight while a volunteer sitter comes and stays with Ann. It took a while for Ann to feel comfortable with someone else but they persevered and it is working well.
The Support Worker helped him with a benefits check. As a result, Ann now receives Attendance Allowance so they are able to pay for a cleaner themselves, which gives Ken more time for himself.
Ken has the telephone number for the local Carer Support Organisation, should he need any support. He knows about the Carer groups that he can attend in his area and receives their newsletter with events and information for Carers.
Ken has been invited on a fishing weekend. He knows he is eligible for a Carers Budget to help pay for this, or to pay for care for Ann while he goes, but he doesn’t want to leave her. He says he is happy with the support he now receives. He no longer feels isolated and he is managing his health condition. He is back in touch with his friends and has other things to talk about.
Ken feels he isn’t on his own now with Ann, and he has someone to talk to when he is feeling anxious. Having information about support for Carers and then having a Carer's Needs Assessment has made a big difference to his life. This has helped him and Ann to have a better life together, and he feels he can continue caring.