Pat's Care Story

• June 30, 2025

“They always talk to my canary, Linda. Some of them even talk to her before they talk to me.”

We had the pleasure of meeting our customer Pat to talk about her experiences receiving support. Pat has said we can visit again when her new electric wheelchair arrives and she takes it out for a test drive, other residents within the hub have said they will support her with driving lessons around the car park as well!

Pat initially received support in the community with First City before moving to one of our hubs more recently.

The transition when I came in here, the same carers from the community were with me for a few days, and I’ve met them since on odd occasions, so I’ve found that helpful, more friendly and reassuring.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’ve got 2 daughters, 8 granddaughters, 2 grandsons, 11 great grandchildren. I like crafts, reading. I’m pretty social, I’ll talk to anybody and everybody. I haven’t been able to get out for the last 6 months, so I’ve watched a lot of television, or been reading. I try to get out of my room as much as I can into the open air, as I get very claustrophobic at the moment. So, I asked if I could come out into the day room, and it’s been much better since I’ve been able to do that.

I think the day room isn’t used enough, more people would be happy using it and talking to each other. We talk as we meet in the day room or while we’re passing through, I’ve noticed more people have started talking to me. It works out that we’ve all got connections, one person used to work at Woolworths warehouse with my brother. Another is the cousin of one of my neighbours where I used to live.

What led you to needing care or support services?

I was diagnosed in November-ish with a condition where my spinal cord is narrowing. My bungalow, I could get from the bedroom to the front room to the bathroom, but I couldn’t get through to my kitchen due to a very narrow hallway. Up until then I was very independent, did everything for myself. Washing, shopping, cooking, thank goodness for the microwave and the air fryer – did everything for myself.

How did you feel when care was first suggested or introduced into your life?

I felt that the independence was taken from me, but I knew it was a medical thing. I felt dreadful, where I’d been so independent before.

Did the carers give you that element of trying to do as much as you could?

I tried to do as much as I could, but being stuck in that one chair since November, I felt dreadful, I was embarrassed at first for the personal care, but it was something I had to accept, first in hospital and I had to accept it afterwards, even more so. But I realise without that, you give up.

I work with my carers which builds a relationship that works both ways and makes me feel better. Some carers, most carers will listen to what you ask. The ones that you meet daily, quite regularly. We find this works, or that works. I will do as much as I can for myself - if I can work something out I will. It’s a matter of them learning from us, and us learning from them.

How have your feelings about receiving care changed over time?

Initially I felt it was very bad, but now I’ve accepted that I need it. It’s not so bad, as long as they’ve listened to me and do as I’ve asked, I’m not telling anyone to do things, I always ask, I think that’s much nicer.

What would you say to somone who is feeling unsure or nervous about starting care?

Look into it, discuss it. Talk about it, be involved. You need to speak to your carers, everyone is different, the carers are different. If you’re not happy with something, speak to them. Say to them I’d rather do it such and such a way, or I feel I don’t need this, or I do need that, or could you do it this way. It would make both sides feel more comfortable. If I can say to a carer can we try it this way and it works, great. If it doesn’t then we can talk about another way.

The only thing I’ve had problems with is the timescales, I felt I was being left too long. Some nights it was 12 hours, which I felt was far too long. I thought you were the best person to speak to (Amanda, Team Leader), and this morning it’s been beautiful, worked out just right. On the whole it’s not been too bad.

It’s nice to know that you feel comfortable to raise any concerns with the office so that a solution can be found.

My youngest daughter works in care, I usually say to her this has happened, what do I do? When in the community, a couple of times if I had a query she would call the office for me, or I would ring. I think I’ve only had to speak to her twice to ask what do I do?

The other day my carer came in and said your call is down for half past 10, which is of course much too late, I wouldn’t have had my medication, nothing to eat, or a coffee first thing in the morning. I get very fretful if it goes beyond a certain time, I get claustrophobic.

Amanda explained that she has suggested to Pat about coming down to the community area for her breakfast during her early morning call when she doesn’t have the day centre, and then go back to her flat at lunch and they could support with personal care at that point and then come back out to the community area until she’s ready to go back to her flat for the evening. Pat agreed that this has worked much better for her.

What would you say to people who might have misunderstandings about what care is really like?

I never knew you existed, it’s not a subject I’d discussed with my daughter, I knew she worked in the care system but because I’d not needed it, it was something that had just got brushed off. So, when people get into this position, for any reason whether it’s physical or mental. It’s not always possible to do it at home. My mother had the start of early dementia when she had a stroke, so I understand that side of it as well. I would say always discuss it, with family, with someone who works in the industry. I think you need to talk about it a lot and really go into the ins and outs of everything.

Do you feel that you get what you need from your support here?

Yes, I do, if I need pointing in the right direction, to the district nurse or doctors you can point us in the right direction. If the carer doing my first call in the community noticed I needed a district nurse or medication she would make sure I had that, and I know I can ask you (Amanda) to help with that now.

If you want to talk to Amanda you can talk to her, and other carers as well, some are more difficult to talk to; but a lot will understand if you say something or ask a question. As I say, you need to talk about things and think about it a lot.

Pat has gained some new friendships since moving into the hub, and talked about one resident in particular.

Eve is lovely, she’s such a kind person and she desperately wants to help, she’ll go off and make me a cup of tea. I always reminder her to be careful on her way back, don’t spill it on yourself. She’s got a heart of gold, she’s so lovely.

She talks to the canary – they all talk to the canary.