"Amazing Support"

Back in January my Mum fell down the stairs at home fracturing her Spine, Sternum and several Ribs and was taken into hospital where she stayed for around a month. With Mum being Dad's main Carer, my Dad was suddenly left living at home alone so I drove up to look after Dad for a few days not realising the severity of Mum's injuries at this time.

As the week progressed it was very apparent my Dad was unable to live at home without support so some urgent help was needed and decisions to be made for Dad's care whilst Mum was out of action for the foreseeable future.

Via the GP surgery a visit from the Urgent Community Response (South) Team was arranged and later that morning Toni arrived. What an unbelievable job Toni does with such compassion and kindness, I could not have got through the rest of the week without her support and advice.

With me being in fight or flight emergency mode, Toni calmly assessed Dad and helped arrange Red Cross equipment to aid him around the house (he had some but needed more) and a Red Cross bed to stop him going up the stairs to bed (his mobility is very compromised and the 2 flights of stairs he'd been regularly going up and down were deemed a huge risk for falling).

Together we discussed various options for Dad's interim care with Mum in hospital, and we decided a few weeks in a Respite Care Home would be the safest option for him and the quickest support we'd get so I could return to my family at least for a few days before coming back to Nottingham again.

Toni stayed with Dad whilst I made calls and visited the Care Home options available and she was an absolute rock in supporting me with the decisions I made. I cannot thank Toni enough for her kindness, reassurance and care not only on the day which was an incredibly stressful time, but following up afterwards and checking in on how things were going, it still is very much appreciated.

I should also mention how kind and supportive Rhiannon, Alison and Laura were too when they visited Dad to help with his personal care whilst we were at home before Dad went into the Care Home - all were warm, genuine and funny and so lovely with my Dad, and again for that I am very grateful.

Both my parents are back at home, Mum making a steady recovery and both being supported by a Care Team popping in to help morning and night. Thank you again to everyone involved in the Urgent Community Response (South) Team, you do an amazing job! x