Callum

Scenario 3: Callum

Jackie has been a home care worker for a number of years and has always got on very well with those who use services. Callum is one of those with whom she has a good relationship. He is a retired merchant seaman who leads a healthy and positive life in his late 70s. He has challenges with mobility and uses a wheelchair to get around. He is supported by a care at home organisation who assist him to get up and dressed in the morning. Another agency provide support to help Callum stay connected in the community.

Callum has a daughter in Australia and a son, William, who visits on average about twice a year. William has recently been made redundant and has separated from his wife. As a result he comes to live with his dad in the family home.v

Over the few weeks that William has been there Jackie has noticed a change in Callum. He has become much quieter, less positive and more passive in his behaviour. When she visits William always stays in the room, even when she is washing his father. In fact she is hardly on her own with Callum these days. She is increasingly aware that William is drinking and may even be using drugs. On occasions he can be aggressive and lewd to her especially when he has had a few drinks.

On one occasion when she is visiting, Callum says he doesn’t want his son in the room to see him being changed. He says it is humiliating. William refuses to leave and says that it is his house after all. He then tells Jackie that he is looking at cancelling the home care service and that he can look after his dad. When Jackie challenges this he gets very abusive and begins to rant and rave. Jackie is more and more convinced that the best thing for Callum is that he should be admitted to a care home. She is aware that there is one nearby specifically for retired merchant seamen and she feels Callum would love it there. She is also, however, aware that William has let it slip that he wants dad at home in order for him to keep the house and not have the government use his inheritance.