Lady in Shanklin Requires Support with Accessing Community (406665) LKM

A 43-year-old woman who has a 7 year old son sadly lost her husband and father to her son few years ago. The family used to visit IOW, for many years and befriended a local couple with children, similar ages to their son. They do not have family close by to support. This is why the family moved to the IOW, as their friends here can act as unpaid carers for her son, when her condition is causing limitation on her abilities or when she is unable to meet his educational needs-transport to school and back, attending extra circular activities and parents’ meetings, support with homework and peer support.

The lady suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and M.E. She has presented symptoms since 2019- severe headaches, tiredness and fatigue, pain throughout the whole body, inflammation, loss of concentration and brain fog. Last April became bedridden; it was at this time ME was suspected. She was diagnosed in Jan 22.

The condition has a life changing effect on her life. The smallest of tasks can leave her feeling exhausted and if she is not able to rest her other symptoms increase. This can impact on concentration levels, can make her feel overwhelmed and unable to deal with everyday things, can make her anxiety levels increase and also affects her mood.
In addition to this the lady's mobility can be affected. Her condition can also cause her to suffer from stiffness and pain with symptoms increasing as she becomes more tired.

Due to the lady's poor health she is at risk of intentional and unintentional self- neglect as becomes physically unable to meet her daily needs such as personal and nutrition care, due to pain, tiredness and fatigue. She finds it challenging to `sequence` what follows next in a particular routine due to her decreased concentration levels, which often will result in not being able to an important task of her daily routine/needs, if she is not appropriately supported with this.

Currently the lady requires PA support for 8 hours weekly in view of being able to meet personal care needs for herself. She is not able to have a shower/bath or get dressed often, independently due to her condition, which is causing her pain and fatigue when carrying out physical activities. She additionally requires support with nutrition care for herself and her son, she is often not able to put foods away due to tiredness and pain, and additionally she is finding it challenging to prepare and serve meals because of the same reason. She is also challenged to keep food dates in check.

Housekeeping support weekly is needed- as currently she is not able to physically manage many aspects of this due to the ME symptoms she presents.

Financial and documentation management support is required for herself and her son, as finds this challenging due to decreased concentration and brain fog.

Lastly, being able to safely access the community- she uses a wheelchair on most occasions and requires support with this in addition to the sharp change in physical abilities to manage this independently when becomes tired, as explained above.

Agreement in place for 8 hours support per week. This was split between 2 PA's. 3 hours per week requires cover as this PA has now left to support with food prep and domestic tasks at the rate of £15.99 per hour days and times to be agreed at interview.

Genders which may apply for this job – Any

Hours per week – 3 hours per week

Hourly rate – £15.99 per hour

Area – Shanklin

Driving licence required – Yes

Employer has pets – No

Employer is smoker – No