An Age UK Plymouth Story

The following story is fictional and designed to demonstrate how people are supported by Age UK Plymouth, it's services and partnerships across the city. Whilst this particular Jim is fictitious, the challenges he experiences are genuine and his story echoes through our city.

Jimis67,he'slivedinPlymouthsincehejoinedtheRoyalNavyinthelate70's After20yearsservice he retrained as an electrician and most recently taught basic DIY courses at a college for adult learning Jim and Kathleen, his wife of over 30 years, have a daughter who lives and works in Bristol andthreegrandchildren.

Early in 2020 Jim noticed that Kathleen was having difficulty concentrating and was losing track of timeanddates.BeforethelockdownJim'sdaughter,Jennifer,wouldvisiteverycoupleofmonthsbut whentheysawherinOctober2020forthefirsttimeinninemonthsshewasshockedthatKathleen seemedtobestrugglingeventofollowtheirconversation ByChristmas,Jimwassurethattherewas moregoingonthanjust"gettingold".

In the new year Jim began trying to find a diagnosis for Kathleen. As the country continued to go in and out of lockdown, appointments were regularly rescheduled but finally in December 2021 KathleenwasdiagnosedwithVascularDementia JimandhisdaughterworkedwithKathleen'sGPto createacareplananditwasdecidedthatwithsupportfromamonthlyvisitfromJennifer,Jimwould continuetocareforKathleenandreassessinthefuture

In June 2022 whilst working in the garden Jim tripped and fell awkwardly - it wasn't a big fall but enough to aggravate an old knee injury and Jim found himself in Derriford hospital. After investigations it was decided to replace the knee - a straight forward procedure but there were concerns about how he’d cope at home alone with his reduced mobility Jim was transferred to the newShortTermCareCentrerunbyLivewellSouthwestandhousedatAgeUKPlymouth,herehehad his own room and daily physiotherapy. With the support of the staff there he enjoyed being able to make himself meals in one of the guest kitchens and felt more independent than his time on a hospitalward

By the end of Jim's first week at the Centre he’d found himself at Age UK Plymouth's weekly Sticky Bun Morning for Veterans, taking part in a weekly, gentle chair exercise class and was feeling more like himself after a haircut He met with a Discharge Coordinator from Age UK Plymouth, they chattedaboutJim'slifeathome.AsJimwasstillunabletodrive,hisdischargepackagewasdesigned asamixofsupportfromtheteamwithcleaning,laundry,assistedtripstothesupermarketandsome gardenclearance

Jim was also visited by a member of the Information and Advice team from Age UK Plymouth He didn’t realise that he was entitled to any financial support so the team also helped him apply for a bluebadgeandattendanceallowance.Withtheallowancehereceivedhewasabletokeepreceiving some support around the house from the Help at Home team, after his discharge package finished. He mentioned to the Information and Advice team that he still hadn’t got round to thinking about Kathleen's Power of Attorney, he was relieved when they are able to help point him in the right direction

Kathleen had been staying in Bristol with Jennifer and her partner but as they started returning to work she was keen to come home. The Discharge team put Jim in touch with the Day Centre's Manager to see if it would be a good fit for Kathleen. Jim wasn’t sure, Kathleen struggled with anythingoutofroutineandthishadbeenworsesincebeingawayfromhome

After meeting with Jim and Kathleen, the Day Centre's Manager recommended that Kathleen join "Forget Me Nots" - a once a week set of sessions with friendly and engaging support workers at the Day Centre in Mount Gould. Kathleen really enjoyed the music, dancing and creative activities - Jim hadalwayssaidshewas"acraftyone",makingcostumesanddressingupoutfitsforJennifer Atthe end of the course Kathleen was more comfortable away from Jim and keen to carry on, she started attendingtheDementiaDayCentreinPlymstocktwiceaweek.

Knowing that Kathleen looks forward to her "club", Jim is grateful for the respite and continues to recuperate,heevensignedupfortheweeklyVeteransWalkingFootballandenjoystakingKathleen totheVeteransBrunchtwiceamonth He’sconsideringvolunteeringasadriverforthecharityinthe future With the support Jim found at Age UK Plymouth he feels more secure in his and Kathleen’s future, knowing that they have the support to help them continue living independently, in their hometogether.

£2.9 million in entitlements secured for Plymouth residents last year

5,500 acute bed days saved in STCC's 12 months enjoyable sessions were

482 people attended free Dementia Awareness Training

2.8 years average time to be diagnosed with Vascular Dementia

56% of STCC guests discharged requiring minimal or no care

Scott College student, Faith, volunteers at the Day Centre and decided to raise funds to support the charity.

After hosting a raffle and a bake sale Faith has raised an AMAZING £200! Thank you from everyone at Age UK Plymouth

Thank you to Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport and Johnny Mercer, MP for Moor View, who both took the time to visit our Mount Gould Centre and chat to clients, staff and visitors

Volunteers from Age UK Plymouth joined supporters and contributors volunteering for organsiations city wide at a Celebration Evening hosted by the National Marine Aquarium.

Congratulations to our nominees and a heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers that attended representing charities from across the community

A panel from the National Marine Aquarium also selected an overall Volunteer of the Year and we are delighted to announce the winner was our very own IT Trainer, Pete!

Terry turns 99 on Christmas Eve, last year was tough after a fall left her with a broken hip. Terry has suffered the losses of her husband and her son. She can go a week without speaking to anyone or hearing another person’s voice.