Fenella is in her 70s and has learning disabilities. She has lived in the same care home for over 10 years and presents as being very settled there. 

Fenella had asked to move. She would like to move into her own bungalow. Fenella was assessed to lack the mental capacity to make this decision, and a court case had been raised to the Court of Protection to assess if a move was in Fenella’s best interests.

Paola, a POhWER Advocate visited Fenella on multiple occasions before her court case and established that Fenella thought that everything was OK at the care home but wanted a change of scenery as she had been there a long time. She was happy to move to another care home especially one who might let her have a cat. Fenella really wanted to have her own cat. She has lots of cat related items in her room, and two budgerigars in a cage which she loves.

Paola discussed this with Fenella and explained that it might be quite difficult to find a care home that would allow her to have a cat. 

The Court of Protection decided that it was in Fenella’s best interests to stay where she was because the care home was able to meet all her care and support needs. The care home manager explained this to Fenella, and she was very quiet for a while afterwards but did then become settled again.

Paola raised the possibility of the care home redecorating Fenella’s room or changing the layout so that it would give her a change. The care home agreed to this, and the advocate supported Fenella to express her wishes as to what changes she would like.

The care home redecorated her room in line with her preferences and moved her bed to a different position. Fenella now has new pink soft furnishings and seems very happy with the changes. However, she was still upset at not being able to have a cat.  

Paola talked to the care home manager and told her about a very lifelike cat she had been shown by a resident in another care home. Paola suggested that this might be a good alternative to a real cat for Fenella. The care home manager said she would look into this.

On Paola’s next visit, Fenella had her new ‘pretend’ cat on her bed. Fenella seemed quite relaxed and content during the visit and she showed Paola her new cat as soon as they entered her room. Fenella has called him Sammy, and she said ‘He makes me very happy’.

Paola supported Fenella to have increased voice and personal control in her life and environment.