Our Case Studies
Complex Epilepsy Case Study
Read our case study on how Grande Care provides personalised, person-centric support for clients living with complex epilepsy.
Background
SP has not had many positive experiences with various professionals during his past life, so it can take time to build up trust. He struggled in the past to settle in a shared living environment as he felt it was too institutionalised. He also tried supported living but he endured failed epilepsy monitoring of his seizures, which made him to lose trust with various professionals during his life.
After undergoing a multitude of specialist tests and investigations, under the care and guidance of a world-renowned Epilepsy Neurologist, a confirmed diagnosis of complex partial epilepsy with increased seizure activity during sleep was identified. SP suffered from clinical levels of anxiety, as was recognised in the report from Kings College Hospital psychology assessment, they also identified some psychological disorders.
Grande Care took over SP’s 24/7 1:1 home care and arranged his care package within two weeks. Seven carers were put in place to meet his care needs and requirements.
Intent
After implementing detailed care plans, risk assessments, and training, all staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide person-centered care to keep SP safe, considering his epilepsy and autism. Given his past negative experiences with professionals, building trust is key. Carers keep SP informed through direct communication or via his family to reduce anxiety and avoid letting him down.
SP is largely independent but needs support with tasks like showering, shaving, and brushing his teeth. After difficult nights with seizures, extra support is provided to help with fatigue. He can dress himself and choose his clothes based on the day’s activities and weather. We ensure he has full control over his personal care decisions, and his medication is managed according to a clear protocol provided by his epileptic consultant.
The same seven carers are assigned to build trust, and regular spot checks are done by the registered manager. Carers support SP’s decision-making and social development, helping him maintain close family relationships and participate in activities like sewing clubs and re-enactments. Staff assist him with planning and engaging in these activities, ensuring he has support during episodes of anxiety or seizures. SP prefers to focus on the present, so we offer flexibility in his social activities to help him feel more independent.
Impact
Since we implemented the actions, the service user has been able to communicate confidently about his specific needs. Planning things ahead and following daily routines without too much change has helped his anxiety levels greatly improve. This has allowed him to take a more positive approach to difficult situations.
Due to improvement in his stress levels, reducing his frustration has lowered his anxiety when meeting new people. Additionally, this has dramatically improved his physical and mental health to a level where he feels empowered. He has been able to express his feelings about his likes and dislikes without fear of being misunderstood by people around him.
Evaluation
As a result of the support and engagement from the care staff, a person-centric approach was provided, promoting his independence and safety. We will definitely implement this approach again in future on a regular basis and monitor the service users well-being to ensure this improvement is sustained.
As the registered manager, Amrit will always ensure that both she and the Grande Care team constantly promote reflective practises in their care and provide support to all of the service users as an ongoing practise in the organisation. This will involve careful consideration and evaluation of ‘what went well’ or ‘what could have been done to make it better’ to ensure safe and effective care for our service users.
Reviews
Grande Care always tries to harvest the care culture by taking feedback from the service users and their families. This gives us a chance to improve in areas such as understanding complex care needs by continuously investing in personal and professional development to provide safe and effective care to all service users.
Testimonial from KP (Father and Next of Kin)
Grande Care have provided 24 hour care and support for my son SP since June 2021. They have been extremely professional in the way that they have managed all aspects of his varied and complex disabililities. Comprehensive care plans and protocols have been formulated and updated as required and there is excellent liaison with the medical professionals involved in his treatment. Changes in behaviour or the way in which his disabilities present have been quickly identified, addressed and notified to the relevant clinicians.
The staff are well trained, knowledgeable, consciencious, well mannered, courteous and empatheic to his needs. They have coped exceptionally well with the difficult management of his Autism,Epilepsy and heightened levels of anxiety. There is first rate communication between the staff, client, management and myself which is very reassuring. Amrit ,the owner, can be contacted at anytime, day or night and SP frequently calls her directly.
She is very well qualified, has a great personality and a wonderful ability to empathise with SP who trusts her judgement and guidance implicitly. She visits his property frequently and rigorously monitors all aspects of his care, support and the actions of her staff. Her knowledge, help and guidance in navigating the Care System are invaluable.
I would have no difficulty in recommending Grande Care to others requiring similar levels of care and support.
