Carers Stories

Paul's Story (this is a story based on real experiences of local carers)

My name is Paul and I’m 83 years old. My wife, Stephanie, is 81. She recently left the hospital and gets people coming to help her four times a day. Apparently, it’s called reablement. I’m not sure what that means exactly but they see to be trying to help her. The so-called ‘reablement care’ won’t be provided forever so people from adult social care say we are going to have to think about any future support she may need with her care.  They are also saying that they need to look at our finances but I’m not really sure why – something about how any future care will be paid for I think. 

Before she went into the hospital, she was able to get about much more, but now she really struggles to move about, especially with getting up and down the stairs. We have a handrail fitted up the staircase but she’s still having trouble. Our bedroom and bathroom are upstairs so there isn’t much we can do about it as there is no toilet on the ground floor. I try to help her as much as I can but I’m 83 now so it is a struggle. 

It’s not easy for me either, although I wouldn’t tell her that, because I love her and want to help, but I’ve had my own problems. I had a heart attack a few years ago and then cancer. I’m recovered now but it is so important to stay healthy, but I can’t get out to play sport as much- I really miss it. At least the pool and gym were open until recently but now they have to stay closed because of coronavirus.

We’ve got the children but they have their own families, and both work long hours. My son does live near though and has also got power of attorney.