Getting to know Sally
As part of our International Day of Older People series, we're sharing how our Relevant Person’s Representative service supported a woman with dementia #IDOP2024
Our Relevant Person’s Representative service protects the rights of people like Sally who have had their liberty restricted due to a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) order. Sally was in her early 70s when our advocate started working with her.
Our advocate said:
“My role was to ensure that Sally’s rights were protected and that her voice was heard when decisions about her care were being made. It was important to find out how Sally really felt about her living situation, as people weren't sure whether she was happy with the care she was receiving.
Getting to know Sally
When I first started visiting Sally, I knew I had to take things slowly. She didn’t communicate much, so I spent time just being around her, giving her the space to get used to me. I made sure she knew she was in control—if she wanted me to leave, I would. This helped Sally feel comfortable and less pressured.
Building trust
Instead of focusing on Sally and expecting her to talk right away, I’d chat casually about anything, from the weather to what was happening in the room. Sometimes, people feel more comfortable when they aren’t the centre of attention, and this approach helped Sally start to open up a little.
Talking to staff
To better understand Sally, I spoke with the support staff who worked with her every day. I asked them if they had noticed why Sally wasn’t talking to me and whether she communicated more with others. They shared some insights and suggested using visual aids or other methods, which helped me better communicate with Sally.
Involving family
Sally had family members who cared about her, they gave me more information about how Sally liked to communicate and what might help her feel more at ease. This was important in shaping the way I worked with Sally.
What happened next
Over time, Sally became more comfortable with me and started expressing her feelings in her own way. With the support of her family, and the staff, we made sure that Sally had a say in her care and that her voice was properly represented.
What I learned
Being an RPR means making sure that people like Sally have the opportunity to communicate their needs and preferences, even if they aren’t always able to do so easily. By taking the time to listen and involve others I was able to ensure that Sally's rights were protected, and her wishes were heard.
This case highlights the importance of taking a patient, person-centred approach to advocacy, especially when someone’s ability to communicate is limited.”
For more information about our RPR service, visit www.yvc.org.uk/rpr.
For our International Day of Older People series, visit Helping older people have a voice (yvc.org.uk).
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