How Featherbed Homecare helped one couple to rebuild their lives.
We’ve changed the names and location for data protection, but the facts and details are true.
Mr and Mrs Smith moved to Wells in 2014 from Taunton after their family home became too big for them to manage. They had been married for 50 years and had done everything together.
Two years later, Mrs Smith was diagnosed with Dementia. Mr Smith had been suffering from COPD for several years and was prone to having relapses where he found it difficult to get his breath, and chest infections were common.
By the spring of 2025, Mrs Smith’s Dementia had progressed to the stage where Mr Smith was now her full-time carer. Her memory was very short-term, and she often would not recognise friends or family who gave support and help when needed. Still, Mr Smith managed to run the house and enjoy time with his wife, even though his COPD was becoming more serious during the winter.
Over Christmas 2025, Mr Smith suffered several chest infections which culminated in Mr Smith being admitted to hospital as he was very poorly. This left Mrs Smith alone, something that had not happened in all 60 years of their married life.
A family member contacted Featherbed Homecare, and within two hours the Registered Manager arrived at the property to carry out a full assessment of needs and outcomes. The agency arranged for an overnight carer to cover until a suitable live-in carer arrived the next morning.
“their quality of life had improved so dramatically, they could not envisage life without one.”
From the case study
Mrs Smith was happy with her new carer/companion, and the carer supported her in visiting her husband while he was in hospital. After Mr Smith returned home from hospital. It was agreed that the live-in carer would stay in the placement until Mr Smith felt he could manage.
After two months at home, Mr Smith contacted Featherbed to say they had decided to keep a live-in carer permanently, as their quality of life had improved so dramatically, they could not envisage life without one. Mr Smith said the carer had become part of the family and that he and Mrs Smith now lived in a clean, tidy house and were offered three nutritious, home-cooked meals a day. The carer handled their shopping and errands, and they both retained their independence by staying in their own home.
Mr Smith said the stress and worry he felt while looking after his wife had lifted, and they were both much healthier because of the support and care the live-in carer provides.
“they both retained their independence by staying in their own home.”
From the case study
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