Husband hails Home First team as “tremendous” as wife able to remain at home

Wilson Learmonth has described the Home First care model as “tremendous” for it has allowed his wife, Irene, to remain with him at home despite being dealt a number of devastating health diagnoses.

Irene, 74, a retired primary school teacher from Kirkwall led a fit and healthy lifestyle.

But the family’s world was turned upside down with a diagnosis of Parkinsons around four years ago and then a further blow when they were told Irene also had related Dementia.

Wilson is Irene’s main carer, assisted by their children, but as her condition deteriorates this becomes more challenging.

At the beginning of February last year Irene became unwell and was taken to the Balfour. During her three-week stay in the Balfour Irene’s walking deteriorated.

She was transferred to a rehabilitation ward and the couple were offered a place with the Home First team.

Wilson explained: “Laura Wood was the occupational therapist helping Irene and myself and we found her to be absolutely fantastic. They came and assessed the house and were able to make recommendations as to what should be done in terms of adaptations. Thanks to this we were able to access a percentage of grant funding from Care & Repair towards a ramp, for the widening of the front door for wheelchair access and provision of a wetroom, all which make our lives easier. We were also able to get a walking aid, wheelchair, hand rails for the shower and things like feet for the chair to raise it up for free and Laura and the team ensured there was a package of care in place for when Irene got home.

“Without Home First and that transition from hospital to home care I really don’t know what would have happened. We now have home carer visits four times day. At first it was difficult for myself and Irene to adjust and accept the additional care and support but thanks to the fantastic Home Care team they made it that bit easier.

“Home First is a tremendous idea and it certainly has helped us hugely.”

Thanks to home care and respite visits to the Gilbertson Day Centre and Crossroads, Wilson is able to get a little break himself – so important for his ongoing health and wellbeing.

“As long as Irene remains mobile and I am still fit, it is going to work for us with the help  that we get. It really is a tremendous idea and gets folk out of hospital when they don’t need to be there.”

Although the Dementia leaves Irene very frustrated by getting words mixed up at times, she was able to say: “I have been very fortunate with the treatment I have received.”

Home First in Orkney has been described as a “leading” and “game-changing” new care model which supports people to live more independently and for longer in their own homes.

The year-long trial of Home First prevented four people in the county from having to leave their home to go into residential care and has proven that working in partnership with service users, even those who are deemed to be severely frail can lead to vastly improved personal outcomes.

The model of care also resulted in less delayed discharges from hospital – benefiting both the service user and the system.

The Home First team is to be permanently established and will be ultimately linked with Intermediate Community Therapy and the Mobile Responder Green Team to form an intermediate care hub with a single point of access.