About Roy and Diane
Roy and Diane's Homecare Story started 24 years ago, they would bump into each other as they each went around town with their friends from pub to pub on a Friday night. And after about 6 months they shared their first date! At the time Roy was an engineer working in Skegness and Diane was a Careers Advisor for offenders working in an open prison.
Before Roy's condition progressed, they would travel all over Lincolnshire, often ending their explorations at a village pub taking them back to how they first met. Even though Roy's condition has restricted his mobility, they certainly still enjoy getting out and about. Whether it be walking their 2 dogs or socialising with friends and family. With Roy always making time to go out for his weekly coffee and Diane to her Zumba class.
Our Day with Roy and Diane
We visited them both, in their home where Roy receives homecare from our team to find out more about his life, living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and see why he prefers being able to stay at home.
In 1999 Roy was diagnosed with MS. Following his diagnosis, Roy was able to continue working for about 16 years as he could still walk about and use his arms ok. Roy and Diane told us a lot about their working background and reminisced on memories of how they started their relationship. Roy told us about how he loved the teaching part of his role and it was ‘so satisfying when people passed their exams’. Unfortunately, Roy’s condition became progressive, he can no longer work at all and can only use one hand.
We chatted with the couple about how their experience has been with setting up a Homecare Service and Diane explained how she has found The Great Care Company to be very good. She explained how we went out to see them for an initial consultation and asked their requirements and she has been really pleased with what we have put in place.
Having a care service at home has helped Roy to continue living his life the way he chooses to. Speaking about his visits from our team Roy explained
‘They help me get the dogs out, which I really enjoy. I couldn’t do that without the care staff. Then they help me get my breakfast and sort me out for the day.’
Roy mentioned to us how the team helps to promote his independence. He tries to do as much as he can and is able to put his own socks and shoes on but perhaps one day out of the month he isn’t able to do this. And on these days he knows he has the support there to help him. He continued
‘The staff have been really good, no problems. I can’t knock it’
Why They Prefer Homecare
Living with a medical condition can affect your life in many ways but a Homecare Service can provide you with the security that you get to adjust to your new abilities in a comfortable and familiar environment.
This ability to receive the support needed at home means a lot to Roy and Diane, in keeping them together and helping them continue their lives.
Diane told us that the Homecare Assistants
‘ Make me feel really quite at ease because nothings too much trouble. I can go out and leave them with Roy as they know what his needs are and I have peace of mind knowing that when they leave he’s ok’.
We finished by asking Roy why he had chosen a Homecare Service instead of a care home and he was happy to tell us