An elderly gentleman (85) was first referred to us via Carrie in Adult Social Services – he came as a referral with his wife (83) and daughter (37).
The client (80s) and his daughter had noticed a decline in the wife's health and behaviour over several years. On Boxing Day 2022, they discovered the cause was a hidden alcohol addiction. They tried to get the wife help, but concerning behaviours like forgetfulness, vagueness, and withdrawal persisted. There were also episodes of anger, selfishness, and attention-seeking, culminating in a particularly concerning incident.
After the referral, all three family members received a screening call and an initial appointment. While hesitant to accept help, they also realised they couldn't manage alone. Sadly, two weeks after the appointment, the wife passed away at home due to complications from alcohol misuse. Since then, we've continued to support the client and his daughter with grief and alcohol recovery. Sessions often address the client's guilt and the daughter's mixed emotions, including relief.
By building trust, we've also included the daughter's husband (39) in the program. He has experience with an alcoholic parent and supports their three children through activities and family time.
The client receives weekly in-home support, while the daughter and her husband receive bi-weekly evening Zoom sessions due to their work schedules. All three children participate in monthly online sessions, with a face-to-face session planned soon.
Both the client and his daughter have expressed immense gratitude for the support, and Carrie has provided positive feedback.
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