"Excellent and professional social work care and support"

My elderly father was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer’s and lived independently for as long as he was able. As his capacity declined and his confusion increased, my husband and I brought him into our own home to care for him when he could no longer manage alone. We cared for him within our home 24/7 until his needs were such that the challenge, strain and inadequacy of our facilities within the house made the situation untenable and we were no longer able to provide the level of care that my father needed.

Our situation was exceptional as we had taken my father from his home into our own. We did this out of love and concern for his own wellbeing and a desire to support and care for him under our own roof. However, as his condition progressed, it was not straightforward to get the help and support needed for my father and ourselves as carers.

My husband and I were tied to the house as it was too greater concern and risk to leave my father home alone. The ongoing challenges and concerns about my father’s growing needs and our inability to meet them in our home without support caused immense stress, strain and anxiety.

Following family advice to seek support and more appropriate care for my father, Fife Social Care Services were contacted.

Sheila, a social worker from the Health & Social Care Partnership and Older People’s Community Team in Buckhaven, Leven, Fife, made contact and visited, offering regular support and contact to us all as a family. She understood the challenges we were facing and repeatedly sort avenues for help and assistance to care for us and my father. Demand on the system and services is such that it seemed that whatever route for care that was investigated resulted in no change in our difficult circumstances. We were extremely grateful that Sheila had a clear understanding of our situation and appreciated the foundation work that she compiled in order to build a case for care for my father.

 However, it took a change of social worker within the Older People’s Community Team in Leven to bring about a change in our situation. 

Suzanne made contact and supported us greatly from the onset of her involvement. She had a keen overview of the challenge and struggles that we were living with 24/7 and a real grasp of the practical, emotional and psychological difficulties that we were grappling with. She was highly professional and compassionate and reassured us that she would investigate all possibilities to seek the care support that my father needed.

My husband and I felt rekindled hope after being unable to see a way through our unique circumstances. Suzanne made us feel heard and her assessment of the situation and of all of our needs was professional and insightful. All of her interactions with us were so positive, supportive, encouraging and effective in helping us to find a way forward through a very challenging, emotional and upsetting period. Her communications were regular and reassuring, sometimes just letting me know that there was no new update but just checking in to keep me informed. 

Within weeks Suzanne had brought about a dramatic change as she had secured a full time residential care place for my father. 

The relief that my father’s care needs had been so professionally assessed and the help needed sought and secured, was a remarkable and greatly appreciated development brought about by the care and professionalism of Suzanne’s intervention. She was a delight to deal with and clearly cares about her cases and clients. She has truly made a massive difference in all of our lives. 

My father is settling well into his care setting and I am grateful for the quality of care that he receives.

Our experience with Fife Council Social Work in Leven, Fife, has been excellent and truly life changing. I would like the professionalism, dedication and hard work of those involved in our case to be recognised. We have been so grateful for their help, support and intervention. Thank you and well done!