Alcove Covid-19 Virtual Care Case Studies (7/7) - Robert's Story: Kent County Council's Covid 19 Deployment

As part of Loneliness week we are bringing you beautiful examples every day of how the Alcove Video Carephone is being used to connect families, carers and communities.

This is case study 7: Robert's Story, provided by his care provider Westminster Homecare, a provider based in Kent County.

Westminster Homecare is a domiciliary care provider that supports around 400 people in Kent. It includes support packages for people with disabilities, as well as live-in care. They are a national company with branches across the UK.

Edita and Tahni are senior care practitioners at Westminster and have been identifying clients who would benefit from am Alcove Video Carephone. They have been using the devices for care plan reviews and spot checks for carers, auditing and understanding clients’ requirements.

One of their Carephone users is Robert, a 75 year old man who lives in Gravesend, Kent. He has three grown up children and six grandchildren.

He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 20 years ago and ran a holiday business before retiring 11 years ago. His MS has mainly affected his core strength and his ability to walk and move around unaided. He mainly uses scooters to get around, inside and outside the house.

He has always had an active and sociable life and spends a lot of time with this family members and down at the local rugby club where he is vice president.

His wife is his main carer and she is the Director of the local golf club which she goes to three times a week and Westminster provides three hours of physical care a week to cover the times when she is away. She does take respite breaks and Westminster provide live-in support during this time.

Robert has been using the Video Carephone for over a month. He found set-up really easy and was keen to get it working. He initially thought that he would only use it to speak to his care agency. However, he says that the unexpected benefit is that he can link in with his friends and family.

Robert says, “I love the sociability that the Video Carephone gives me. I have not been able to see my grandkids due to the coronavirus or meet up with my chums so it has helped me to stay in touch with everyone.”

Edita and Tahni can speak to Robert whenever they need to and vice versa which Mr Greenfield says is ‘very useful’

He continues: “The best part is that I don’t need log-ons or codes to be able to see or speak to people. I also hope I can receive my private physio sessions on the Carephone and I like the idea that it can prompt me to move every hour to prevent me getting sores and to keep doing my exercises.

“I am also looking forward to seeing my grandson in Dublin play the Yamaha keyboard I bought him for Christmas. It’s just great isn’t it?”

Robert is the editor of MS magazine and is looking forward to writing about his Video Carephone in the next edition.

 Tahni, Senior practioner, said additionally about other Clients whom had been issued with an Alcove Videocarephone:   

"Myself and the carers have noticed a substantial improvement in (redacted names) our Clients mental health and attitude since using the Alcove Video Carephone. They are both a lot happier and in high spirits.

"Mr A has mentioned to me multiple times that he has felt like self harming when he gets frustrated, and has felt calmer once talking through the Alcove Video Carephone."