Sophie’s Story: Finding Happiness And Independence
Sophie, 62, had lived with her parents her entire life. She had learning and physical disabilities and was paralysed on one side of her body. With her parents in their 90s, her mother in the late stages of dementia and her father struggling to care for them both, her brother had taken on the role of her primary caregiver. However, family tensions ran high, with disputes over her future and allegations of financial abuse.
After a short stay in respite care, Sophie became distressed upon returning home, making it clear she didn’t want to be there. She moved back into respite, and an N-Compass advocate was assigned to support her.
The advocate spent time building trust and learning how Sophie communicated. As their relationship developed, Sophie expressed an understanding of her family situation but shared that she enjoyed respite care. When the advocate introduced the idea of supported living, a setting similar to respite but offering more independence, Sophie was interested.
A suitable supported living placement was found, and Sophie made the move. She later told her advocate that she hadn’t felt this happy in years.
