Case Examples
Stopping a move to an older persons care home for a young man who had a stoke
Situation:
I was contacted by a young man who had had a stroke. He was in hospital and was homeless as his flat rental lease was terminated. The hospital said that he was medically fit for discharge and that he no longer had a 'right to reside in hospital'. They wanted to move him to a care home for older people. The young man did not want this at all and refused to engage in these discussions. The hospital were threatening eviction and served several eviction notices on the grounds of trespass.
Service:
I was an advocate for him in hospital and with the local housing system.
I stopped the eviction going ahead, secured him getting on the housing register, supported him bidding for homes and found suitable temporary accommodation for him with reablement support to aid him in his ongoing recovery.
Outcome:
A young man regaining independence and building his life as a stroke survivor.
My grandmother's wish to continue to enjoy eating
Situation:
My grandmother (Nana) was 93 years old living in Extra Care Housing (ECH) with four carer visits a day. My mum and I were her carers and provided support to my Nana in between visits. We were attorneys for my Nana under Lasting Power of Attorney arrangements, for both health and welfare and property and finance. My grandmother was at risk of choking when eating, nonetheless she loved food and wished to continue to enjoy eating. Particularly White chocolate ice-cream! The ECH manager wanted her to have a PEG feed (a tube feed into her stomach). We objected to this given my Nana's love of eating and the infection risks of a PEG.
What I did as her advocate:
I ensured due process was followed which involved:
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Full multi-disciplinary team (MDT) input
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Relevant assessments being undertaken, including risk assessments and a Best Interests assessment.
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The MDT and family decided, with the right risk measures in place, it was in my Nana's best interests to continue to enjoy eating a thickened food and high calorific diet.
Outcome:
My Nana continued to enjoy eating for the rest of her life, including white chocolate ice cream!
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Making sure that an older lady's wish to live in her own home was adhered to
Situation:
An 87 year old lady contacted her lawyer as she felt that she was being pressured to move from her own home, by her family and her GP, to a care home. She had become frailer over recent months. The lawyer suggested she speak with me to see if I could support her. When I met the lady she explained her wish to stay in her own home although she told me she could become confused from time to time.
Service:
As her independent social worker I advised her accordingly. This included a Mental Capacity assessment to establish whether she had the capacity to make the decision to stay at home and understand the associated risks. I also carried out a Care Needs assessment. The Mental Capacity assessment found her to have the capacity to make this decision.
The Care Needs assessment established what her needs were living at home. This resulted in a care package at home and further medical tests to establish the underlying cause of her occasional confusion.
I supported the family to understand mum's capacity assessment, her rights and her care needs. I helped reduce their anxieties.
Outcome:
The lady continued to live in her own home of fifty years for the rest of her life, with support from carers and community services. She was living life on her terms.