Beryl’s story
Beryl is 73, has Parkinson’s disease and cares for her husband who has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD). At the end of 2012 they moved house so that they could live closer to friends.
The Parkinson’s slows Beryl down, a simple task can take her a whole morning and because she can only talk slowly people tend to interrupt her.
Beryl no longer felt confident to go out and do the things she enjoyed. She used to work in a professional role and as an intelligent woman likes to keep her brain active. Beryl misses the simple things such as pottering around the shops and going out for a coffee.
CPW: Clare Armstrong
The Community Practice Worker (CPW) discussed several options with Beryl and came up with a plan to help Beryl and her husband get more out of life and keep their independence. The plan includes:
- CPW to help Beryl find a personal assistant to accompany her a few hours a month so she can have time away from the house and a break from her caring role.
- Beryl and her husband will join the University of the Third Age (U3A) so they can share an activity and make new friends with common interests.
- Referred Beryl to Age UK Bucks befriending service and Carers Bucks.
- CPW provided a list of charity/voluntary and private holiday organisations that specialize in helping people with disabilities. Beryl wants to research these possibilities herself as she and her husband would like to have a holiday but felt unable to because of their disabilities
- Contact with Dial-A-Ride to arrange day trips
- Applied to the Parkinson’s Society for a mobility grant
Last reviewed: 18/02/2015
