David’s story: ‘Care is not a commodity, it’s life’
After a serious stroke and a 26-week hospital stay, David, who is 91 and lives outside of London, now needs care and support to help him stay well and active in his community. This is his story.
My name is David and I was born in 1934. I worked for British Railways for 35 years as a Technical Assistant in engineering maintenance.
Fifteen years ago, I had a very serious stroke and spent 26 weeks in the Royal Free Hospital. I am now limited in what I can do, and I accept it in good faith. For example, I have limited dexterity in my hands, so I can use my house phone but not computers. I use a wheelchair and live in assisted living accommodation.
I have family, but they don’t live nearby, so I am totally reliant on day-to-day support from carers. Without them I would be bedridden, and I am very thankful for them.
Every morning, they first blanket wash me, they then help me get dressed, they then transfer me with a hoist from my bed to my chair. It’s a difficult job. Then they give me breakfast, I have it here in this room. I do go to the common room, once a week, on a Wednesday.
Unfortunately, I now have to take eight different types of medication, so my carers make sure I take those each day so that I can stay well. I’ve had some throat issues since Covid-19, so they mix the pills into yogurt so it’s easier for me to swallow.
Having the same carer is really important to me because they know what food I like and which programmes I like to watch on TV. I mostly only watch the news: I like to keep up with that, it keeps me alive.
On the first and third Friday of each month, I go out to my community church. A minibus comes to collect me, and they help me into a wheelchair, and then get the wheelchair into the minibus, and drive me to the church. I like to meet people and talk to them. We discuss current events and, of course, the railways. Getting out into my community and spending time with other people makes me feel very good, and I always look forward to it.
Care is not a commodity, it’s life.
My carers do a very good job, they are wonderful and very thorough, but they are hamstrung, if that’s the right word to use. My accommodation used to have three carers on-site to support residents but now there’s only one, and this has had a profound effect on me. It is not the fault of the carers, or the care company, but the fault of central and local government.
Care is not a commodity, it’s life. The three main political parties have got to come together to realise that. They have got to take the politics out of it. Social care is too important, it has to be a cross-party issue. It deals with a life – not a commodity that can be put on a shelf or in the bin.
Councils are facing the same thing. They need to stand down from politics and work together with the NHS. They need to work together, and work around the person to provide them with the support they need.
Good care gives me independence and it’s vital for life. Carers are the life saver of this nation. This is a very serious situation with social care, I know that. It’s a cry from the heart: care can’t wait!
Take action: Join the Care Can’t Wait campaign
Sign our handraiserWe should all have the chance to live a good life, and social care allows us to do so.
But sadly, too often, this isn’t the reality for everyone in England today and without the glue of social care, lives are falling apart.
Without urgent action, care and support for us and our loved ones may not be there when we need it.
That’s why, together, we can and must transform care and support. By demanding ambitious reform and proper investment, we can build a network of care and support that works for everyone. Join our movement calling for change. You’ll receive campaign updates and discover how you can make a difference in your community and nationally.
Please join us, because care can’t wait.
