Finding a care home to support complex needs
In 2014, Karen suffered a spinal cord injury, which caused quadriplegia. She also has a personality disorder and displays behaviours of concern, including emotional dysregulation and regular self-harming.
Previous services had been unable to support Karen’s needs. So, she moved to Tyne Grange and into the care of our multi-disciplinary team to look after her health and wellbeing.
In-house physiotherapy to improve movement
Karen has twice-weekly sessions with Tyne Grange’s in-house Physiotherapist. These sessions have improved Karen’s upper body and hand dexterity, increased the strength and range of movement in her legs, and enhanced her mobility when transferring.
As a result, since coming to Tyne Grange, Karen’s movement has improved significantly. She’s progressed from needing a hoist to using a stand aid and is now able to walk short distances using a walking frame.
Karen has set herself the goal to walk across the Millennium Bridge in Gateshead with her frame.
Person-centred care to enhance quality of life
To improve Karen’s independent living skills and social integration, she has regular sessions with the home’s in-house Occupational Therapist.
This time is hugely varied to support Karen’s needs and interests, and includes preparing food and baking, building self-esteem, managing emotions through sensory and self-soothing work, and increasing independent personal care.
Thanks to our high staffing levels, Karen is also able to access the community and explore her interests.
“The staff at Tyne Grange support me with my hobbies.
“I love collecting teddy bears and dolls. We take regular trips to the local charity shop in search of them, and one of the ladies who works in the charity shop down the road has started collecting them for me. I’m also the queen of arts and crafts in the home, and I’ve got my own section of the garden that I keep on top of.
“I’m also Tyne Grange’s Service User Ambassador. Every few months, I meet with ambassadors from other Exemplar Health Care homes, and we make decisions about the way the company is run.
“I enjoy being an ambassador because it gives me things to do, and I feel like I make a difference.”
Building relationships to reduce behaviours of concern
Karen has a personality disorder and displays behaviours of concern, which her previous care providers struggled to support.
Our high staffing levels at Tyne Grange mean Karen can progress at her own pace and develop trust with her care team. She’s built a great rapport with the staff, who’ve got to know her well and learned how to manage her emotional needs – which has dramatically reduced her self-harming and the number of instances of behaviours of concern.
With the help of the incredible staff at Tyne Grange, Karen feels safe and able to continue doing the things she loves.
“I’ve lived in numerous care homes, but I didn’t really settle in any of them. Tyne Grange is the first place that feels like home.”
“When I first met the manager, she told me about the facilities in the home and that I’d be encouraged to be independent. And she wasn’t wrong! Since moving here, I do regular sessions with the physiotherapist, and I’ve taken my first steps since my accident.
“One of my favourite things about living at Tyne Grange is that I choose what I want to do. The staff support me if I want to go out, which can be daily, and they help me decorate my bedroom! I love living here – I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”