A week in the life of… a mobile telecare responder

Tuesday

This morning I get an emergency call about an 80-year-old lady in a sheltered scheme. When I arrive she says she pressed her pendant alarm by mistake, but when I have a look I realise it isn’t working as it should, so I reprogramme a new one.

While I’m there I meet an older gentleman who tells me he’s been struggling to do his shopping. When I get back home (we’re all based at home rather than the office now), I speak to someone at the local community hub, who says they can get a weekly food parcel to him. Phoning the resident to tell him the good news really makes my day. He is so grateful.

Wednesday

Today I get an emergency alert about a resident in his 70s who’s fallen. It only takes 10 minutes to get there and I find him stuck on his knees. I help him roll onto the lifting cushion and then sit on a chair, although he is very wobbly. He says he feels hot and cold, and fell this morning, too. It sounds like a urinary tract infection, which is a reason many older people fall.

“It might have taken an ambulance eight hours to reach her but we got there in 25 minutes. It feels good to know we’re reducing the pressure on 999 crews and helping really vulnerable residents”

I press his telecare red button and ask the control room to dial 999, as he seems increasingly unwell. Meanwhile, I look at the notes from his carers and call his son and daughter. The gentleman is very worried about leaving his cat, but I think, unfortunately, the pet might actually be a trip hazard.

Thursday

This afternoon I call the control team to find out about the gentleman with the cat. The operator tells me that he fell again this morning but didn’t need an ambulance, and that the GP was due to visit.

This scenario is quite common but it’s still upsetting to see a resident’s health deteriorating. We do what we can to prevent a crisis by calling residents to see how they are, and reminding them to take their medication and drink lots of water. During lockdown, I’ve made a lot of these calls and they really do pre-empt problems, particularly among residents who live alone.

Friday

In the morning I help a woman in her 90s who has slipped in her shower. She is freezing and scared but not hurt.

With coronavirus, it might have taken an ambulance eight hours to reach her but we got there in 25 minutes. It feels good to know we’re reducing the pressure on 999 crews and helping really vulnerable residents at the same time.

Do you know an outstanding professional who deserves to be featured? Email jess.mccabe@insidehousing.co.uk with your suggestions