Rae one of our lovely carers at our Berkeley Northwood branch has been with us for 6 years in total. Sadly, Rae had to take a break back in July 2020, but has returned to us in January this year. Rae was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2020 but despite this she continued caring until she had to isolate for her surgery the end of July. After two surgeries, six rounds of chemotherapy and 15 radio therapy treatments Rae was straight back to what she loves doing.
Rae is no ordinary carer. She has a strong ethos of treating every client like she would a member of her family and ensures that fun is on the agenda too.
Mrs M, one of Rae’s clients, likes to cook but now struggles with her right arm. Rae understands how independence is so important to her clients and helps support Mrs M to do as much as she can in the kitchen. On arrival, she always finds out what Mrs M has on the menu for that day and what Mrs M would like her to do; they have a lot of fun cooking together and chatting. Mr M has autism and is not much of a talker but is happy to chat with Rae as she understands what he needs as her own son has autism.
Another of Rae’s clients, Mr H, has had a lot of changes in the last year. He had to reluctantly move his wife into a care home, as her dementia was causing her to have violent outbursts which eventually became a dangerous and unliveable situation. Shortly after this time, Mr H junior moved into the family home as it didn’t make sense to rent somewhere just for himself. Whilst this was a perfect solution for both of them it came with challenges for them both too.
Rae has provided both with visiting care support. Mr H oftens feels tremendous anxiety before a visit to see his wife. He misses her very much and feels guilty about her being in residential care, especially when she asks to come home. Rae talks him through his anxiety, and they work through it together.
Mr H Junior has had to adapt his life moving in with his father, Rae takes him out for a coffee every week so he has a break and can chat through anything. Her husband will often join them as a carer for his mother often sharing a perspective on things. Rae has seen the difference their weekly meet ups have made.
Mr H Junior says of Rae:
“She has been my father’s principal carer throughout 2022. I can’t stress highly enough how marvellous she has been supporting both my father and I. She is wonderful at her job. She takes time to sit with him (and me) to discuss his activities for the day, offering advice and suggestions to ensure he remains as active and as mentally stimulated as possible.”
“As Dad’s only family carer, Rae seems to sense when I am stressed and frequently offers a “shoulder to cry on” and an opportunity over a coffee to get my concerns and worries off my chest. Both myself and my father look forward to her visit and she is always cheerful and upbeat, and she has become not just a friend but one of the family. She provides care and support way above my expectations, and she is a fantastic ambassador for Berkeley Home Health carers.”
