Suzanne's Story
Suzanne is a woman living with a neurological condition who had been living independently in the community before becoming ill and being admitted to hospital. After her hospital stay, she was discharged to a care home on a temporary basis while a more permanent place was found for her.
Seven years in a care home
Suzanne’s disability meant she became frustrated and at times aggressive towards staff and other residents – a direct result of feeling trapped in an environment she hadn’t chosen. The home eventually said she could no longer stay. By this point, Suzanne had seen multiple social workers and was still in the care home seven years after she was first admitted, at the age of 45. In that time her health had deteriorated significantly – she had not been a wheelchair user when she first arrived. She was frightened that she had become institutionalised and that her window for independent living was closing.
How advocacy helped
With the support of her advocate, a Senior Social Worker was allocated to Suzanne’s case, who in turn brought in an Occupational Therapist to assess whether she could safely return to living independently in the community. Previous professionals had made promises and let her down – advocacy was the thing that finally moved things forward.
“If it wasn’t for advocacy I would still be living at a care home as other professionals that were involved with me before have made me promises and let me down.”
Suzanne today
Suzanne has now been living in an adapted bungalow in the community for two months, with support from carers. She gets up when she wants, eats when she’s hungry, and goes to bed at a time that suits her. She has lost weight, regained her vitality, and looks, in the words of those around her, like a different person.
“I can do things when I want, when it suits me.”
Support more people like Suzanne
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