Maureen’s determination makes her Reablement programme a success

Maureen is a 66 year old lady who lives with her husband just outside Brentwood. Maureen was holidaying at Devon with her family when she became unwell.

Maureen was rushed to hospital where it was identified she had experienced a haemorrhage and subsequently experienced a stroke, affecting her both physically and cognitively.

Maureen was transferred to Queens hospital in Romford and after 3 weeks was admitted to a neuro-rehab centre for a period of rehabilitation.

Maureen was discharged from the neuro rehab centre to Essex Cares’ South West Essex Reablement service. The Reablement Service initially provided three calls per day, all approximately one hour.

Two members of staff supported Maureen with all activities of daily living, as well as support from Maureen’s husband and health input, including physiotherapy intervention.

Several Support Assistants were identified to work with Maureen to ensure continuity in order to support her recovery following her brain injury. Staff worked with Maureen to begin to relearn skills, regain confidence and identify techniques which would compensate for her short term memory difficulties.

Our Reablement staff have continued to support Maureen to achieve her aspirations and increase her confidence in undertaking tasks with minimal assistance. During this time Maureen also continued to receive physiotherapy intervention, which has enabled her to progress from using a wheelchair to mobilising independently with the use of one stick, which was her aspiration and is one of her greatest achievements.

Maureen has remained determined throughout her illness, and has made significant improvements, including getting back behind the wheel which is enabling her to get out and resume one of her favourite pastimes, shopping!

Maureen’s husband stated that he feels his wife has regained 90% of her previous abilities and this is thanks to the encouragement, patience and support she has and continues to receive from the Reablement team. Maureen and her husband stated ‘we are just so pleased to have been able to access the reablement services, we do not think Maureen’s progress would have been so rapid without Essex Cares’.

Maureen is now able to get outside again to spend time with her two dogs and likes to keep herself fit using her exercise bike.