The client is 104 years old and lives with dementia. She previously lived independently and was known for her active lifestyle, swimming daily until the age of 96 and enjoying dancing throughout her life. As her dementia progressed, she moved in with her daughter, who became her primary carer.
Initially, her daughter managed her mother’s care independently. However, as her needs increased, particularly around personal care, medication and safety, additional support became necessary. While her daughter remained deeply committed to caring for her at home, she began to feel the emotional and practical strain of providing round-the-clock support.
A significant moment arose when her daughter expressed that she would love to take a holiday with her husband, but felt it was no longer possible. Although a family member could stay in the house, they would not feel confident providing personal care or managing medication. Her daughter wanted reassurance that her mother would be safe, comfortable and properly supported.
The care team responded proactively. In addition to the existing morning visit, evening calls were arranged for the week of the planned holiday to support with personal care, medication administration and the night-time routine. This ensured continuity, dignity and safety while allowing the daughter to take a much-needed break.
The team also encouraged the use of the Trinity Connect app so the daughter could remotely view care notes and remain updated on her mother’s well-being while away. This real-time communication provided additional reassurance and transparency.
During this period, carers observed that the client experienced sundowning behaviours in the evenings. Recognising this pattern allowed the team to better support the family by explaining mood changes and behaviours that may have been occurring at night. This insight strengthened the morning handovers and helped the daughter understand her mother’s presentation more clearly.
The impact of this flexible support was significant. The daughter was able to go on holiday with confidence, knowing her mother was safe and cared for by professionals familiar with her routines. She later expressed deep gratitude for the service, stepping in at short notice to provide ad hoc evening visits. The client remained settled in her own home, supported with consistency and dignity.
This case demonstrates Outstanding practice through responsiveness, family-centred care, and proactive communication. By listening carefully to the wider family context and adapting care quickly, the team enabled not only safe personal care delivery but the preservation of family relationships and well-being.
