"Dad happily tells us what he does at the service"

Shotts and Wishaw Integrated Day Services (IDS) for the over 65's. A Senior and an Integrated Services coordinator met with dad, mum and I at mum and dad's home to introduce themselves as the ones who would be in charge of dad's care and to discuss the service available.

The meeting also provided the opportunity for them to collect some information about dad and to allow them to know his likes and dislikes, plus a bit more about his history and health before he attended Wishaw IDS.

The escort and taxi drivers who collect dad each week are very pleasant and reassuring towards him, introducing themselves and speaking to him directly using his preferred first name. Dad feels safe and secure travelling to and from the service, as the escort ensures his seat belt is on properly and he is wearing a face mask. The escort ensures before he leaves the house, that he has everything with him that he will require for the day i.e. fees, medication, spare clothing and the crystal hearing system which they ordered and had provided for him.

This system which they tried out with him at the centre, ensures that he hears everything that is going on within the groups at the IDS making him feel included. He now has a system provided that he can use at home to hear conversations and TV and radio. These no longer have to be on at  full volume for him to hear. It also is useful for him to watch live streaming of a daily Catholic Mass on his Samsung Tablet. 

On returning home from the service, the escort ensures that dad's medication etc and a brief account of his day at IDS is passed on to mum. Dad's food choices are taken into consideration during his day at the service and he really enjoys the food.

A Life Story Book has been completed during his first 6 weeks of attendance and assessment to allow the staff to get more acquainted with him and allow dad to reminisce and feel included.

Dad happily tells his family members and carers about what he does at the service and looks forward to returning each week. An end of  six week review was held within dad's home with feedback provided by his named Senior and Integrated Services Coordinators to mum and I on dad's involvement in the groups throughout the six week assessment.

Dad feels valued and listened to and has now agreed to attend the IDS  twice weekly which was identified as a need  during his assessment. This extra day will support both him and mum. Dad's named Integrated Service Coordinator is also completing a referral to Carers Support Services for mum to assist her in her Carer's role.

The Shotts and Wishaw Integrated Day Services for the older adult over 65, is an excellent service and has really provided an enjoyable outing to dad each week and a much needed regular respite to mum allowing her the opportunity to attend appointments for herself and have work done within the home whilst dad is out.  The extra day that dad will now attend IDS, will allow mum some time to herself as she, like dad, is an Octogenarian and she is his full time carer.