How Seniors Helping Seniors helped Gladys find her creativity

Gladys’s daughter Carolyn lives in her street. Carolyn has a family and works. Her mother lives alone. 85 years old, and after a stroke, Gladys was frail and disengaged.

Initial assessment found Gladys was lonely, at risk of not eating and drinking, falling and increasing unhappiness. Gladys is living with poor co-ordination and was apathetic.

Knitting was evident around the home so we set about finding a carer who could chat about knitting and crafting and inspire Gladys’s creativity. We had several suitable carers but no ‘knitters’ on file. We approached knitting circles and ‘The cosy crew’ included our story in their newsletter to help us.

My mother had a stroke 18 months ago after which she lost all her independence and confidence. I approached Seniors Helping Seniors as I was looking for company for my mother whilst I was at work. The befrienders are selected to match the needs of the client. The two ladies that sit with my mother have enriched her life, they chat to her about her life and bring her out of herself. They make her a cup of tea and encourage her to drink. They treat her with dignity and respect. I can’t recommend this agency enough. 
Carolyn

Pat was an experienced carer having cared for her parents and aunts and uncles. Redundant in her fifties from a bank, Pat didn't need to work, she was a busy grandma but she knew she had experience and passion for life to share, she came on board.

Pat knitted forget-me-nots for our #DementiaActionWeek activity while she chatted to Gladys over tea. Eventually Pat took lightweight needles so Gladys could participate.

Achievement, seeing the badges raise Dementia awareness and helping others was the catalyst for better health. Two other carers replaced Pat when she moved with weekly visits.