Diary: A personal take on the working week.

Monday: I accompany a colleague to the house of an older woman. She has a small dog that carers have been complaining about as it can be vicious. We enter the flat gingerly. I for one am rather nervous of dogs, especially the little ones. Luckily my colleague is braver than me and she manages to shut the dog in the kitchen while we speak to its owner. The flat is smelly and cold and the fridge freezer has broken, leaving a trail of defrosted food and water across the floor. We clear it up, get some money from the service user, and dash off to try and get a replacement fridge freezer delivered today. On the way we call the carer to see if she can fit in a shopping trip to restock the fridge which, luckily, she can.

Tuesday: I attend a case conference of an elderly man living alone. His flat had previously been very cluttered but over recent months his nephew and home care have managed to slowly sort things out. The flat is certainly much clearer now, but the service user is still neglecting his own personal care. He has been playing relatives and carers and social services off against each other, hence the need for a meeting where everyone can attend. A new carer has recently been appointed luckily he seems very committed and is eager to help. We agree a plan of action and Ieave with a long list of things to do (and the minutes to type up).

Wednesday: A longstanding member of the team retires today. It is a day filled with tears of joy (from her) and sadness (from us). She is one of the kindest people I have ever worked with, and I miss her already. After a pub lunch and present opening, she heads off home and we head off back to the office to get on with work. I attend a review of a woman in a local residential home. She is very confused but has been living very happily at the home for the past five years. I speak to the manager and look at the care plan. It its clear, up to date and relevant, what a delight! The activities on offer are simple but effective lots of one-to-one interaction with staff and a range of activities apart from the ubiquitous bingo.

Thursday: I come into work to find that the kitchen cupboard has collapsed under the weight of a million free mugs from various locum agencies! I clear them out and mention it to my manager fortuitously the centre’s admin manager is due to visit today so it might be a good time to ask for a (much needed) new kitchen cupboard. I type up a review and update the database. I call the hospital to check on a service user who was admitted two weeks ago with confusion. I feel she needs residential care but the daughter insists her mother can be supported at home. I need to speak to the daughter and the team at the hospital to find a way forward.

Friday: A day off, yeeharr!