George’s story
Supporting independence at home
Like many people, George* values his independence. He loves spending time at home, tending to his garden, and laughing with his family, friends and neighbours who visit regularly.
When George was referred to Adult Social Care, he was reluctant to accept help. He feared losing his independence, being forced out of his home and having his cherished belongings taken away.
But George needed support to take care of himself. He’d fallen repeatedly, missed medical appointments, and begun displaying hoarding behaviours that made his home unsafe.
Our social worker visited George regularly, listening to his concerns and building trust. He made his wishes clear: he wanted support that respected his space and independence. So our social worker came up with a plan for exactly that.
They arranged for equipment that would make George’s home safer, like grab rails and extra smoke alarms. They reached out to partner agencies to help him better manage his health. And they worked with him to create an informal action plan, breaking down essential daily routines into smaller, more achievable tasks.
George’s friends helped too, attending meetings to advocate on his behalf and encouraging him to engage with services.
Knowing that George was anxious at the thought of losing his belongings, our social worker suggested he see a specialist hoarding support charity. And thanks to the strong relationship they had built, George agreed.
“You listened to me and followed through with what you said you’d do,” he told us, adding that he felt respected and supported throughout the process.
Now, George is making steady progress. He’s managing his appointments and medication better, and hasn’t fallen since becoming involved with Adult Social Care. The new equipment in his home has given him greater peace of mind, and he’s happy with the support he’s receiving.
Most importantly for George, he’s still living in the home he loves.
*We've changed George's name and other identifying information.
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