Ayesha and her staff team decided that she needed a change. She was living at Spring Grove Road, another Voyage Care service, but she wasn’t settled. As a result, she frequently demonstrated challenging behaviours. They agreed to look for a new place for Ayesha to live and found Longmore Road to be suitable. The care home managers of each service worked closely together and with Ayesha to prepare her and make her comfortable with the transition process.

The start of the journey

There were frequent meetings to help with the transition process, which started off with Ayesha meeting Longmore Road’s manager over some tea and cake. Ayesha was very chatty with the residents at Longmore Road, but was pre-occupied with getting back to Spring Grove Road for her KFC dinner – routine is important to her. The service managers agreed it would be of Ayesha’s best interest for her to visit Longmore Road again to help her feel comfortable and decide if she was interested in the service. Ayesha agreed.

Ayesha’s parents were also involved in the whole process and visited the home. The move was a big step for them too, as it was a further drive. They liked the home but were nervous about the extra travelling.

At the next visit, Ayesha and the other residents at Longmore Road spent some more time chatting and getting to know each other. They got on very well and Ayesha asked for the process to begin.

Staff, along with Ayesha’s support network, spoke to one of our Behaviour Specialists for advice on the best way to approach Ayesha’s needs and behaviours during her transition period. After this, and once her care needs assessment was drawn up, we went ahead with the transition.

At this point, Ayesha had visited the service several times and got to know the ladies she would be living with quite well. The staff at Longmore Road also had a meeting with the ladies who lived there, asking if they’d be happy if Ayesha moved in. Everyone said they liked her and Ayesha moved in!

Do’s and don’ts, likes and dislikes

Really getting to know the people we support and understanding all their needs is at the heart of our approach. Ayesha came to the service with a list of do’s/don’ts and likes/dislikes that her parents had written for staff to follow. This helped staff avoid accidentally triggering any behaviours Ayesha may have.

Ayesha was on two different medications to help her control challenging behaviours when she moved in. A couple of things her new staff needed to learn was that the word “no” and discussion about her weight or dieting were triggers for her.

When she moved into Longmore Road, she was overweight and unable to walk very far without struggling to breathe or using staff to hold on to. She also struggled getting out of the bath and climbing stairs. She spent her afternoons sleeping on the sofa and wanting to go to bed early. She chose a diet of fast food, and she was constantly hungry.

Understanding the word “no” and discussion about dieting were problematic for Ayesha, the staff needed to get creative to find ways to help her discuss her weight and fitness positively. They wanted to enable her to make better choices.

Introducing a healthy lifestyle

The ladies at Longmore Road already followed a healthy diet with the help of their support workers and had achieved cutting out fast food completely! Ayesha was encouraged to join her new housemates on this diet.

Staff worked with Ayesha and the other ladies at the service to choose meals from Slimming World magazines. They all really enjoy this as they love looking at the bright and colourful photos. At first, Ayesha struggled to get used to the change from takeaways to “fakeaways” but being involved in choosing the meals really helps.

After a few months, Ayesha agreed to work with the staff and a dietician to work on her nutrition. She took everything on board and refers back to the information often.

Since the meeting, Ayesha has stuck to her goal of improving her diet and overall fitness. She eats slower and healthier. She understands that she can still have her treats in moderation and enjoys her daily cup of tea and biscuit for an afternoon snack.

Ayesha can also enjoy walks for over an hour without holding on to staff or losing her breath. She loves racing staff in the garden and helping fetch and carry the shopping.

Ayesha no longer sleeps during the day and will stay up later to watch television with her housemates.

A change for the better

Ayesha’s confidence has grown so much since moving to Longmore Road. A lot of her challenging behaviours have stopped and she is much happier.

She enjoys getting dressed up and gets excited about clothes shopping when she loses weight. Her weight has significantly decreased, losing 3 stones and 7lbs!

As Ayesha is more active now and she does not have to be on as much medication to help her sleep through the night.

Ayesha’s parents have seen the difference the move to Longmore Road has made to her life. They’re extremely happy that she’s feeling more confident and living a healthier lifestyle. Staff at Longmore Road share the travelling on their visits on Saturdays, meaning Ayesha’s parents don’t have to travel as much. The staff drop Ayesha off at her parents, and her dad drives her back in the evening. This arrangement has worked well for all involved.*

New goals

Ayesha shared with her support workers that she wished to raise money for Cancer Research by going on a long daily walk and having her family sponsor her. They are helping her make this a reality and she currently walks an hour every day, which is roughly 5,000 steps. Ayesha’s next goal is to complete the Race for Life to raise money for charity.

Would you like to learn more about how we can support you, your loved one or your client to achieve a goal and live a fulfilled and meaningful life? Speak to our friendly enquiry line team by calling them on 0800 0353 776 or emailing referrals@voyagecare.com.

*These visits are currently on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 
• Longmore Road
• residential care home
• south west
• transition