Case Study: Christine’s Story

Christine, a 64-year-old retired nurse from Maesteg, has lived in her home with her husband Richard for 35 years.

After a serious fall while out shopping, Christine began to feel unsafe getting in and out of her home. Relying on holding onto walls and doorframes, she feared falling again.

Remembering that Care & Repair had previously supported a family member, Christine reached out to the Bridgend team for help. Sian Coleman from Care & Repair Bridgend visited her at home to understand her needs.

Christine said, “I explained, I needed a grab rail. That was the first thing at the front and the back, because that was the best thing to get me up because I was so afraid of falling all the time. Sian wrote out an assessment, she said somebody would be along, which fell into place quite quickly”.

After an assessment, grab rails were fitted at both the front and back doors. Christine also requested steps at both entrances, which were installed after a further assessment by the Home Maintenance Officer.

Reflecting on the changes, Christine said, “I can’t believe for the two of us, really, how its enhanced our lives. I wasn’t managing, I was just waiting to fall, all the time before that the grab rail and especially the step. That has made such a big difference to both of us”.

A short while later, Christine’s husband was having problems with his leg. Christine said, “He could hardly get up off the settee. He’s got arthritis behind his calf, so he’s not able to bend his leg. I’m so frightened of him on the stairs, holding on to the wall one side, and he’s a tall chap. I was petrified he was going to be falling all the time. Sian phoned and asked, ‘Was everything alright’ and I said I was wondering would we be able to also have a handrail put up the stairs”.

Care & Repair Bridgend were able to send someone out to do the extra handrail on the stairs. Christine has been impressed by the diligent follow up, she said: “The follow up has always been fantastic with Sian. She phones to ask you, did it work? Are you happy with that? And is there anything else we can help you with? She has been absolutely marvellous”.

Care & Repair’s interventions have given Christine and her husband a renewed sense of safety, independence, and peace of mind in their own home.