Learning Disability Coalition

Nicola's story

I live in a residential home with nursing care.  The staff are trained to meet all of my needs, such as carrying out my personal care, maintaining my feeding tube, monitoring my epilepsy and feeding me.  I need 24/7 care, as my needs are very complex.  Before this, I lived at home and attended school.

I keep in close contact with my family, as my Mum and Dad and two brothers visit regularly.  My Grandma also visits from time to time.  My family are delighted with the care that I receive in my home, and never imagined that I could be so well cared for.  The care that I receive means that I am able to go to concerts and shows as well as on holidays, which I really enjoy.  On many occasions I have been very poorly, and the nursing staff have been able to care for me in my home so that I don’t have to go to hospital.  The nursing staff and support workers are extremely important to me, as my health needs change daily and my support needs to be flexible.  I live in a very special place, and living here has given my family great peace of mind.

Nicola’s Week

Monday
This morning I was assisted with my personal care, including washing, dressing, teeth and hair brushing.  I was assisted to the sofa where I was given my medication and feed.  I was then assisted to go the bathroom, and was helped onto my bed where I was given some water.

After being helped with personal care I had an aromatherapy session with a qualified aromatherapist.  I was then assisted into my wheelchair where I was given a nebuliser, and my food and medication were given to me through a nasogastric tube.  My tube needs to be checked regularly by a qualified nurse, who makes such that it is in the correct position.  My breathing became laboured afterwards so I was assisted very quickly to a prone position where I could drain fluid from my throat.

Tuesday
This morning I was given my food and medication in bed by a qualified nurse, and when it finished I was assisted with personal hygiene and dressing by a support worker.  I was hoisted into my wheelchair by two members of staff.

Today I went shopping with my mum, and a support worker.  Another member of staff came with us to drive the specially adapted minibus.  We drove into town and went into a number of different shops to try and find me a new dress for going out on Saturday.  My mum and support worker showed me a number of items, and chose a dress for me which they lay on me to see if it fitted.  It would have been impossible for me to try it on in the shop.  Mum treated me to the dress, and we then went to a café, where Mum had a coffee and I enjoyed listening to all the people around me.  The bus, driven by another support worker arrived to take me home.

When I got home, I was hoisted onto my bed very quickly as my breathing was very laboured.  I was given physiotherapy, and afterwards was given some water.  I was later assisted with my personal care, and assisted to bed when I was tired.

Wednesday
Today I had a lie in, as I was tired from yesterday.  My medication and feed was given to me by the qualified nurse, and later on a member of staff assisted me with my personal hygiene.  Two members of staff hoisted me into my wheelchair and helped me into the lounge.  I was feeling a bit unwell, so I was hoisted onto the special sofa, where I was give some passive physiotherapy which helps me in draining off excessive secretions.

I spent most of the afternoon on the sofa, as this helped me to feel better.  I slept until tea time, when I was assisted to the bathroom for personal care, and then back to the sofa for my food and medication.  When I was tired, my support worker assisted me to bed.

 

Thursday
This morning I had a bath and a support worker assisted me.  I then joined others in the lounge, where a qualified nurse gave me my medication and helped me with my food.  I needed to be put on my side on the sofa afterwards as I was getting anxious.  A support worker assisted me to the bathroom, and then I came back to the sofa and had my nutrition and medication.  A support worker stayed with me during the day.

I was assisted to bed early as my breathing has been quite laboured and I needed to lie with my head lower than my feet to drain all my secretions.  It has been a difficult day for me, and I needed a lot of support from all the staff staying with me.

Friday
This morning I had my feed and medication in bed after personal care.  I then was assisted with all personal hygiene and dressing.  I needed physiotherapy which was given to me by a support worker who has been trained to do it.  Later in the morning, I was visited by my epilepsy consultant.

This afternoon I lay on the sofa, sidelining and draining fluid.  After this, my support worker assisted me to be freshened up, personal hygiene carried out, as I was about to go out for a short walk to local shops. 

When I cam home, I was given my feed by the nurse in charge.  I had a lovely afternoon as I was given a facial and a manicure, and spent the time interacting with the staff and other people in the house.

Saturday

I got up very early this morning, and was assisted to have a really relaxing bath.  After this I had my food and medicine in my chair and then lay on the sofa.  I was very giggly and enjoyed my conversations about my trip out this evening.  I had assistance with my personal hygiene, and then staff encouraged me to have a rest so that I didn’t fall asleep during my evening out.

This afternoon a support worker curled my hair, exfoliated my skin and put make up on me and dressed me in my new dress.  I was given all personal care before my Mum came to escort me to the family meal.  A support worker came with me, and another drove the minibus.  I had a lovely outing at an Indian restaurant, and was laughing and smiling all the time.  I was able to stay out until 12pm, as the minibus driver swapped her shifts around so that she could collect me later.  When I came home, I was assisted to bed by the two night staff.

Sunday
This morning I was given my medication in bed by a nurse then had a lie in as I had a late night last night.  When I woke up later, I was given all personal care and was assisted to my wheelchair where I was given my food.  Once this was complete, I was assisted to the sofa where I was able to sideline.

This afternoon, I was given personal care by one support worker, with another to help with hoisting.  I spent the afternoon relaxing by lying on my bed watching a DVD.  I was checked regularly by a support worker or a nurse to make sure that I was alright.