Case Study
Tony's story
Tony is the main carer for his wife with dementia, Alice. Tony fell whilst hanging out the washing and sustained a hairline fracture of his right hip. Tony did not want to go to hospital because Alice would be left at home alone, or would need to be admitted with him and then be disoriented with the surroundings and confused by the pace of hospital. Tony's GP phoned for a Healthy at Home Assessment.
Within 24 hours our Healthy at Home Community Team and the Allied Health Team from Hornsby Hospital visited and developed a Care Plan with Tony that best addressed his needs.
- Daily assistance for the first week with general light house duties, shopping and meal prep, working with Tony and Alice on putting in strategies for self management;
- Transport assistance for further medical follow up;
- Twice weekly physio support with exercises for strengthening and mobility;
- OT assistance with equipment and planning for household tasks.
Over the six weeks Tony's mobility improved, and he was able to get back to doing all the tasks he was able to perform before his fall. His house layout was improved for safety, his knowledge of prevention of falls improved, his awareness of further services and support enhanced.