Denis’ story

Denis arrived at Garth House in February 2015, aged 92, after seven weeks in hospital. He had collapsed at home with hypothermia, a severe urine infection and a badly infected foot. He could not walk and his diabetes, infections, heart and renal conditions had left him very weak. Requiring nursing care, he chose to live at Garth as his wife had previously been a resident and he knew he was in good hands.

The nursing team at Garth House brought Denis’ diabetes under control with careful monitoring of his blood sugar and diet. With support from physiotherapists, Activities Co-ordinators and an exercise instructor, Denis was helped to exercise four to five times a week and to slowly regain his strength. His foot has completely healed – a significant achievement in an older person with diabetes – and this has enabled him to start to walk behind a frame for short distances. He hopes to walk again without help in the future.

Since arriving at Garth House, Denis’ mobility and health is so much better and it has meant a lot to him to be able to get up regain some of his independence. His other health problems are also constantly supervised and his general health is vastly improved, too. The team at Garth House liaise with St Helier Hospital’s anaemia nurse specialist, giving him courses of injections for his kidney condition and physiotherapy appointments continue.

Now that he’s feeling so much better, Denis is able to participate in the many activities at Garth House. Always an active person – playing sports such as football, cricket, badminton, squash and golf – Denis had become almost housebound before choosing Garth as his home. He enthusiastically plays games such as cribbage and scrabble, takes part in regular outings and enjoys sitting in the garden. Every day is full of meaningful activities with fellow residents, visiting family and friends.

At Garth House, a desire to provide everyone we support with the opportunity to continue to live life to the full is at the heart of what we do. Our experienced and passionate care team work with each resident to fully understand their wishes, needs and aspirations for the future. We offer a full range of residential, nursing and dementia care including trial stays and short breaks. For more information about Garth House or to book a visit to meet Roz Salmani, Home Manager, and her team please call 0808 223 5507.