'I spend 19 hours in bed': Home care pressures leave 89-year-old 'missing freedom'
Summary
An 89-year-old woman named Alison receives home care visits only three times a day, with the last visit often in the afternoon. Due to staff shortages and high demand, she is helped into bed early and given medication, which may have contributed to several falls she experienced.Key Facts
- Alison is 89 and lives alone with epilepsy and a history of falls.
- Her home care package includes three visits daily: breakfast, lunch, and an evening meal.
- The last visit now often happens around 3:00 PM, when she is helped into bed and given sleeping medication.
- She spends up to 19 hours in bed because no carers visit later at night.
- Alison reports having three major falls and many smaller slips since her care routine changed.
- The Northern Health and Social Care Trust apologizes and says staffing shortages prevent a bedtime visit.
- The trust is working with Alison’s doctor and trying to find other solutions to restore full care.
- Alison is satisfied with her current carers but cannot always plan her day due to uncertain visit times.
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