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Doris and Joe were born in Jamaica but have lived in the
UK since they were children – and Doris still loves
Caribbean food. Doris and Joe are soon to celebrate their
Golden Wedding anniversary.
Doris registers with a new doctor, Dr Karamjeet Auluk. She
notes that Doris is very much over-weight. Doris has an illness
called diabetes, which means it's important she should eat
a healthy diet. This is one without a lot of sugar, fat or
salt. Doris hasn't been doing this because Joe is ill; his
memory is failing and he can't always remember things like
where he lives or even when he's put the kettle on to boil.
Dr Auluk encourages Doris to look after herself more and
arranges for a team of people to help her.
If you have diabetes you can sometimes hurt your feet without
knowing it; Doris's weight makes this more likely. So she
has her feet checked; she sees a Podiatrist.
Also, an Orthotist
fits her with special footwear. Doris is also having
double vision so she has a check-up on her eyes; she sees
an Orthoptist
for this. The orthoptist can help Doris by suggesting glasses
with prisms in them.
Doris needs to take her weight seriously, too. She's worried
that she'll have to eat boring food: "I like me home
cooking," she says. "I'm not giving that up."
A Dietitian
comes to see her. The dietitian explains that she can still
eat many of the things she likes. "We like our Jamaican
food." Doris is pleased.
When you're getting on in years, looking after someone like
Joe is a struggle. One of the people who can help Doris and
Joe is an Occupational
Therapist (an OT for short). The OT helps them arrange
things around the house to make it safer – like having
a kettle that switches itself off. A Speech
and Language Therapist helps Joe and Doris for the times
when Joe forgets words he needs.
Everybody comes together to help arrange a big celebration
for their Golden Wedding.
 Which
AHPs help Doris and Joe?
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Why
isn't elderly Doris looking after herself?
