When it comes to improving tenants’ lives, Joy Colman certainly goes above and beyond her role as a roving WDH Occupational Therapist.
A recent example of Joy’s commitment to raising residents’ quality of life is her intervention in one lady’s desperate loneliness.
Part of Joy’s job involves going out to tenants’ homes to discuss adaptations that have been made to help with their disability, and it was for this reason that one day earlier this year Joy journeyed out to Kirkhamgate on the outskirts of Wakefield.
“The lady phoned to meet with me because she said she wasn’t able to manage her wet room,” explains Joy, “However, when I arrived I could see that the lady wasn’t coping at all with anything.”
“She was very poorly health-wise, but she was also very upset and miserable. It was very sad.”
“Normally when people say they are lonely, they might have a visit from a friend or family member once a week…but when I did a bit of digging I learned that this lady has absolutely no-one in the area. No friends or relatives to speak with.”
The wheelchair user explained to Joy that she had a couple of relatives who lived down in the Nottingham area that she seldom heard from.
The lady was totally isolated and had been alone for a long time.
“Straight away I rang Age Concern and told them about her predicament. Age Concern has many services that are designed to help the elderly deal with challenges like this one.
“I organised for someone to go and see her every Monday, to take her out and chat with. Someone she can confide in and help with her. They call it their Befriender service, where they provide support to older people living alone by simply coming round and sharing a pot of tea.”
Joy says she recently heard from the tenant and says she her state-of-mind and outlook has improved.
“I spoke to her and she sounded much better. I’m glad that I can make a difference in someone’s life like this. Of course anyone would’ve done the same for the lady if they’d have seen how she was. I’m just glad to help.”
If you'd like to speak with a WDH Occupational Therapist or discuss a WDH matter phone our OneCALL service on 0845 8 507 507