Hello!  I am Debbie  Henry and I am the Independent Living Support Worker at SYCIL.  My role is to support and help people who have had a fall, people with a disability or long term condition, or those who are socially isolated, to improve and maintain their independence.

For example, when someone has suffered a “fall” or has a disability or long term condition it can result in the person having to reassess their day-to-day living and within   this process, they may lose their confidence and become socially isolated.

My role enables me to visit people at home to explore ways to reduce their social isolation and increase their confidence so they keep their independence.

Possible Scenario

Client referred to my service by the SYCIL Occupational Therapist. His wife had recently died and he is now living alone. He has experienced two falls – one in the bathroom and one in the garden; his mobility on his left side has decreased due to ligament damage during the fall in the bathroom. 

An OT assessment is carried out to introduce a new piece of bathing equipment to ensure safe transfers in and out of the bath. Due to his recent falls, the client had become hesitant in going out of the house and his social activities had reduced to a regular visit by a friend who took him shopping and a visit by an agency worker from a domiciliary service. The client is still able to make his own meals and carry out personal care tasks independently. His days revolve around watching TV and letting in the domiciliary services on their designated days.  Before his falls he was very keen on walking and used to walk to the local shops, and catch the bus into town to the Frenchgate Centre. 

Agreed goals that would be looked at:
Confidence building
Socialising
Becoming more physically active

An Action Plan would be drawn up and agreed to address the above three goals.

Progression of goals:
To initially meet the client in their own home, which is where they would feel the most comfortable. Through chatting and listening, find out their interests, which in this case are being outdoors and walking.

I would then research walking groups that I felt might be suited to the client and go along with them to a walking group.  I would also  have to consider that toilets were available for the client and look at social interaction within the group and whether time is available for a cup of tea and a chat.

The ultimate aim is for the client to keep their contact with the walking group and to support them in establishing travel arrangements to and from the group.

Once client’s goals have been addressed, my contact with the client would end.   The client would have become more confident, more mobile and much happier in themselves and at less of a risk of a fall.

If you would like to find out more about how I can help you, please contact me:

Debbie Henry Independent Living Support Worker

Email: Debbie.H@sycil.org

Telephone: 01302 892944 Mobile: 0776 181 5533