Mary-Ann lived just 25 minutes outside the city, with two grown children who adored her, and she loved them back.
Her children had fulfilling jobs in the city and loving partners, and Mary-Ann was incredibly proud of them.
They visited her regularly—or so they thought—at least once a week, sometimes even twice.
They would take her out or help her get her house in order. Mary-Ann was perfectly capable of handling things herself, and they knew that, but they enjoyed feeling useful, and Mary-Ann cherished their company.
However, over time, she began to struggle with falling asleep. Instead of resting, she kept herself busy. Some days, she felt an unexplained unease. She had nothing to worry about, yet she did.
Then, she started getting irritable or stressed about things that wouldn’t normally bother her.
One day, while trying to decide what to have for dinner, the room seemed to close in on her. Her breathing became difficult, and her throat felt like it was tightening. She felt like her heart was pounding out of her chest—she felt like she was having a heart attack. She dialled 999 and was rushed to the hospital.
She doesn’t remember what happened after that, but lying in the hospital bed, and after a lot of questions, the doctor explained it was a panic attack, something common in people who feel lonely.
Mary-Ann didn’t think she was lonely. Her children visited regularly, and she spoke to her neighbours. Even the postman would wave at her through the window.
What she didn’t realise was that she lacked a genuine, consistent connection with anyone other than her children. The doctor explained that if things continued like this, there was a good chance she could develop any number of medical problems like high blood pressure, or Alzheimer’s. Then who would care for her? She didn’t have the means for a care facility, and her children couldn’t be there around the clock.
So she took action once she got home.
Mary-Ann called us and hired a caregiver called Sarah. Sarah started by visiting twice a week for a couple of hours each time. She would tend to whatever needed to be done around the house, and if Mary-Ann felt up to it, they’d take a walk, admiring flowers or birds.
They developed a close bond, and they both eagerly anticipated their time together. Mary-Ann’s stress and anxiety vanished completely. She increased the visits to five times a week, and they continued the indoor and outdoor activities they both enjoyed, depending on the weather.
Since Sarah didn’t work on Tuesdays, Katy visited instead. Mary-Ann used to be a dressmaker, so Katy brought her college homework, and they worked on it when they weren’t out and about.
Mary-Ann is certain that hiring support workers saved her life. She acknowledges that her health is declining, but she insists she still feels free and independent, and can’t wait to meet her first grandchild in the winter.