Jim’s Story
Jim has been coming to the Day Centre for about twelve years, which was just after his wife passed away. Jim had cared for his wife, who had dementia, for many years at home until she went into a care home after he could no longer give her the care she needed. Jim used to visit the care home every day thereafter to sit with his wife until her sad passing.
Jim had an accident many years ago, which left him with very little sight. Because of this, he was finding it hard to get out and meet people and it was then that he was referred to the day centre.
Jim, who is 98, lives on his own. Whilst he has a regular carer, life for Jim is a lonely one as he is confined to his four walls.
The day centre has given Jim a new lease of life. He attends Monday to Friday, and travels courtesy of the minibus service. Whilst he enjoys the support he receives from the care team, he particularly welcomes the companionship that is so vitally important to him. He joins in with all the activities and it’s a pleasure to see him so happy.
As his health has deteriorated even further over the years, he is ever more dependent on the minibus to bring him to and from the centre. Without it, he would be extremely isolated with no means of getting to and from the place he loves and where he has made so many friends.
Jim thoroughly enjoys local trips out for cups of tea and the occasional trip to the seaside but without the minibus, Jim would be unable to go anywhere as the only time he leaves home now, is on the day centre minibus to see his friends.
When you speak to Jim his face lights up. He told us, “if I couldn’t come to the day centre during the week and without the support of the staff, I would more than likely have been in a care home a long time ago.”
