The Sand Between my Toes
Care Partnership versus Case Management
In line with the Encompass belief that partnership with clients and families is at the forefront of successful ageing in place, Care partners take the time to understand what our customers want to achieve, rather than simply managing day to day activities. Stuart often shares his thoughts and regrets, and wonder at what might have been IF someone asked his mum what she wanted the answer would have been simple, “I want to feel the sand between my toes”, sadly this never happened and a social outing for her was shopping and if time permitted a coffee on the way out – Let’s do better.
An example of this that delights the entire Encompass team is a client who at a relatively young age is confined mostly to a wheelchair. When discussing his history, wishes, goals and dreams his Care Partner discovered that he loved both the beach and fishing, with this knowledge the team set to work.
Once our Support Workers had became familiar with Mark and his wife and primary carer Maureen, they took Mark on some local outings where they become comfortable with his support requirements. The team then organised a fishing trip to the pier at Hillary’s, WA. Mark was so excited that he asked his Support Worker to wake him if he fell asleep “as I don’t want to miss a second”. Given the fishing trip was a great success and knowing Mark’s love of the sea a google to find some beach wheelchairs was successful. Maureen had no hesitation in giving her approval to take Mark to the beach, so a date was organised with extra support workers and a nurse to ensure safety. You can see the joy on Mark’s face as he lays in the water rekindling his connection with the ocean, a source of countless memories.
At the end of the day we had wheelchair and car full of sand, a very happy client and Support Workers whose hearts were full after being able to bring such joy into Mark and Maureen’s lives; it is no wonder that when Maureen read this passage to Mark, now in residential care, his response was “I want my girls back looking after me, I liked being with them.”
