"For probably the first time I felt listened to"

"My mother was placed in St Vincent's in early December last year. I met the CPN during her first few days of settling in. After introducing herself to my mother, the CPN and I had a long meeting alone. We discussed the events that had lead up to mum being admitted, her general health and what might be possibly achieved with the extra support provided by carers there. The CPN then asked me how I was coping. Apart from friends and family this was the first time in two years anyone professional had asked me. I have to admit I burst into tears. to be able to discuss the enormous strain and upset I was experiencing plus the sadness of losing my mother and history together whilst trying to care for her physically and emotionally was an enormous relief. For probably the first time I felt listened to and supported by someone who had a professional understanding of my situation. Since then the CPN has assisted and supported my mother, the staff at the care home and me, during mum's settling in period and the various health issues that have arisen in the last nine months. It has been a great comfort to know that I could email or call her to discuss any problems or ask for professional advice. Finally I can honestly sat that without the CPN's sympathetic and professional support at this truly horrible time I would not have coped as well as I have".