Ted is in his eighties and lives in a care home. A Best Interest Assessment raised a safeguarding concern about neglect due to him spending too long isolated in bed without access to any stimulus. Care home staff explained that it was because Ted’s wheelchair was uncomfortable, but they had done nothing about sourcing a new one. This meant that Ted was unable to participate in any in-house activities arranged by the home. 

Dean, a POhWER advocate, visited Ted and was told that he is only transferred out of his bed once or twice a week. In Dean’s Care Review Report he suggested Ted’s Care and Support Plan should include the need for him to be:

• supported to be in a social communal area around other people to reduce the level of isolation he was experiencing.
• provided with a TV and a radio or smart speaker for his room. 
• provided with daily activities whilst in bed in his room.

Consequently, the care review officer got an OT assessment done as a matter of urgency. The OT observed that Ted was in the communal area, sitting in his wheelchair which she said was only suitable on a short-term basis, until the Care Home could purchase a new one. The OT confirmed that the client could safely use the chair for up to two hours per day but no longer because of his frailty. Dean was informed and told that Ted now has a TV in his room. Dean carried out monthly visits to ensure Ted’s support needs continued to be met.

On Dean’s third, he was happy to discover that the client’s Solicitors, who have Power of Attorney over his finances, had provided the funds for the home to purchase a new wheelchair. However, Ted was only being transferred into his wheelchair and into the home’s communal area every other day. Dean raised his concern with the Registered Nurse and the Home’s Manager.

On Dean’s next visit he accessed Ted’s Repositioning Records. This showed that Ted was now being transferred into his chair and into the communal lounge every day for between three to four hours at a time. 

Dean also accessed Ted's Activity Record which recorded that Ted was engaged in activities in his room for about half of the days, such as being read ‘The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe' book, and receiving hand therapy. Staff were also regularly putting Ted's TV or radio on for him. 
Dean was able to inform the safeguarding enquiry lead that he had no further safeguarding concerns, and they in turn confirmed they would therefore now close the enquiry.

Dean’s intervention ensured that Ted’s emotional and physical wellbeing were fully protected, he was not left isolated with no visual or audio stimulus, and he could now share communal areas and enjoy the company of others. Ted had his rights protected, improved opportunities, and increased independence.