An Elderly Man’s Story
One of our Social Work team was contacted by a Housing Support Worker about an elderly male (with severe visual loss) who resided in Housing Association accommodation.
The man, in his late 80s, who had been extremely active and popular and a regular member of the Blind Society, was now showing signs of confusion. The Social Worker visited and found him to be distressed and agitated. He was unable to find his television remote control and felt that there were people who entered his flat regularly who ‘played tricks’ by hiding things, which were then found either by the Housing Support Workers or friends. These items were often tucked away in the bed under the mattress, or hidden in drawers and cupboards and masked by clothes, papers and books.
The kitchen was in a state of disorganisation and most of the food in the fridge was mouldy or out of date. Dirty clothes were lying on the floor, he was unshaven and his clothes and hair were dishevelled.
He was obviously struggling to organise his shopping and cook his food but was resistant to having any interference by the Social Worker. However, she contacted the GP for an urgent visit who offered medication to see if this would help.
After being visited by the Social Worker on a number of occasions he gained confidence in her and she visited him on an almost daily basis.
Initially she arranged for support to be given to the man by Home Care workers who called each morning and evening. A package of care was arranged included an early morning visit to support with washing, dressing, breakfast and encouraging the taking of medication. Home Care was also organised to support the service user with his evening meal and getting him into bed.
Over a period of months he deteriorated and the instances of confusion and paranoia increased, hence the Social Worker again notified the GP and thereafter the gentleman was referred for assessment by a psychogeriatrician who decided that the service user should be supported by the Mental Health Team following which he entered residential care.
He maintained his contact with the Blind Society through being invited to their socials on a regular basis and was accompanied by a carer - so contact with his old friends did not disappear.
