Testimonials

testimonials

The following Case Study was referred by a solicitor acting for the family.

A recently widowed lady was looking to
relocate from large family home. She was daunted by the task and uncertain of how to proceed. Two of her three sons were living interstate. The third accompanied her at our initial meeting.

The son who was present said that his brothers were anxious and concerned about their mother, and their ‘failure’ to provide emotional support to her was an issue for them. It was quite apparent that there was tension between the siblings regarding decision-making, which was of deep concern to the mother.

We were able to suggest tasks to be undertaken to alleviate the stress between the siblings, and to ensure that everyone was informed each step of the way.

The following Case Study was referred by a friend of the family.

Mrs B was living independently at home, but was recently diagnosed with dementia.

Her daughter contacted us to suggest strategies to manage Mrs B’s behaviours. We visited the daughter to discuss in-home support options. We established that Mrs B was a Holocaust survivor, with particular cultural idiosyncrasies.

We suggested that the family contact Alzheimer’s Australia to participate in educational programs to better understand the issues associated with Mrs B’s condition.

We suggested that the daughter and herfamily create a living memory book whilst her mother was still able.

As Mrs B was still able to live at home, we were able to suggested further in-home assistance. We also spent time with her daughter to assist her to recognise behaviours
and offer coping strategies.

The following Case Study was referred by a
friend of the family.

Mrs G relocated from overseas to live with her only daughter after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a year earlier.

Her arrival and the demands of the disease created huge stress on the family, particularly the son-in-law and six year old grandson. Much of this centred around her refusal to dress or leave her room.

The mother had a fall in the middle of the night smashing her front teeth and face, and dislocating her shoulder. She was rushed to hospital and after four days was sent to a rehabilitation hospital.

The hospital was unable to cope with her, and both mother and daughter were distressed by the events. In the daughter’s case, she was reluctant to bring her mother home but guiltridden about relocating her to a residential
facility.

We were asked to intervene by researching appropriate facilities that we believed would suit the mother and daughter’s specific needs. We took the daughter to visit three facilities. One of them was immediately identified as
the most appropriate due to its proximity to the family home, its warmth and homely environment, lack of an unpleasant smell, the offer of many activities available for residents,
and cultural compatibility for Mrs G.

The daughter needed time to discuss her fears and her original desire to wait till her mother’s condition deteriorated to a point when change was inevitable. After much discussion with us and her mother’s doctor, the daughter realised that the move was the only option.

We were able to help the family accept the transition into residential care, by minimising the trauma involved and respecting the needs
and wishes of each party.

The following Case Study was referred by the daughter.

A couple in their 80’s and living independently were finding it increasingly difficult to manage in their apartment. They were convinced by their daughter to purchase an apartment in a retirement complex. It was much smaller in size than their existing home, which was an issue for the mother, as was the quality of the apartment. The mother was also overwhelmed by the move, specifically her anxiety about family seeing the chaos of their present living arrangements. She had no support from her husband who was retreating
into his study to watch TV.

The siblings, although united about the move, have very different styles. They needed a neutral person using fun and humour to diffuse the mother’s embarrassment about the state of her cupboards and paperwork.

We spent time sitting and caring for the mother while actually collating items to be moved, papers to be filed and items to be disposed of. At the same time we ensured that her wishes about what to retain were respected. Nevertheless we were able to gently persuade her about items that were
in duplicate and could be easily disposed of. By helping her to declutter, we were able to relieve her of the stress and the overwhelming
feeling of suffocation that she had previously expressed.

We completely organised the move and
coordinated the unpacking, so that when the parents moved into their new home it had been as if nothing had changed. Pictures were hung, clothes were put away, flowers were placed in vases and we even made sure a home-made cake was on their table.

All involved were relieved and appreciative of the personal attention we were able to
provide.