Julie had always led an active life, devoted to helping others as a nurse. She thrived on being busy and was always on her feet. However, several falls dramatically impacted her health, leaving her bedbound because her care home felt that her getting out of bed was too high risk. Alongside the symptoms of dementia, Julie’s mental health spiralled, and her quality of life deteriorated significantly. The coordinated efforts of the Plan with Care team, along with the care home and her Solicitor played a vital role in transforming Julie's situation. Despite the challenges, their support helped Julie regain her mobility and independence and start to thrive again.
Decline leading to becoming bedbound
Julie had been living at home, but regular falls had resulted in hospital stays, and was discharged into a care home, she found herself in an unfamiliar environment, increasingly isolated, and bedbound. Julie's situation became increasingly dire as her health continued to deteriorate. With each fall, her physical capabilities lessened, and her once vibrant spirit dimmed. Moving into the care home was a significant shift from the independence she cherished, leading to feelings of helplessness and depression. Her decline was further compounded by her dementia, which made it difficult for her to understand her own limitations and the need for the move. The transition was tough on Julie, who was now confined to a bed for most of the day due to the care home staff's fears of additional falls and injuries. This situation is too often the case for many older people, including Julie, confined to bed because care homes don’t have the resources to manage the risk of falls.

Photo by Jelleke Vanooteghem on Unsplash
Finding the Solution
Julie’s care team, including her solicitor, the care home staff, and Plan with Care companions, worked together to reintroduce mobility and activity into her life. The key issue was to reduce the risk of her getting out of bed. This is not something that the care home is resourced to provide, and if it wasn’t for her solicitor's focus on quality of life for Julie, she most likely would have continued to languish. However funds were released to provide additional companionship, allowing Julie to spend more time out of bed and gradually regain her mobility. This increased support enabled Julie to participate in activities she enjoyed, such as gardening, socialising with other residents. and going for afternoon tea with a friend.
Impact of the Change
Julie’s physical wellbeing and general happiness have significantly improved. She is now able to engage in activities that bring her joy, including spending time with her friend. The reintroduction of social activities has been particularly significant, marking a radical improvement in her overall quality of life. The transformative that dedicated daily wellbeing companionship provided to Julie highlights the profound impact that coordinated care and companionship can have on an individual's physical and mental health. Julie’s story demonstrates that the traditional limitations of the care system can be overcome with a bit of creative thinking focused on meeting the wellbeing needs of the individual. If there is anyone in your life who you think could benefit from additional support so they can thrive, get in touch with our team
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