Quick thinking Curam carer helps save client's life

PRESS RELEASE

93-year-old retired nurse Betty Bunes, from Whitstable, is lucky to be alive after her carer insisted that she sought medical help after falling ill.

Back in May, fiercely independent Betty refused to let her son Jan Bunes’ call an ambulance, after she started vomiting repeatedly and losing weight.

Despite only caring for Betty for a few weeks, Curam carer Michelle Halford, also from Whitstable, was insistent that Betty go to hospital to be checked, after she too became worried about Betty’s weight-loss, and the fact her symptoms were getting more serious with each passing week.

Once Betty was admitted to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, doctors discovered that she had a gallstone, which had resulted in an infection, subsequently spreading to her lungs and liver. She was seriously ill for some time and spent four weeks in hospital, before making a full recovery and returning home.

Michelle said: “I could tell that Betty was really unwell as she was in serious discomfort and was very weak. She was sick after each time she ate and had stopped socialising because she felt so poorly. I managed to convince her that she needed to go to hospital and I was only doing my job of looking after her. I’m so pleased that she has made a full recovery.

“She’s a real character and it’s great to see her back to her usual self. I’ve been a carer for 25 years and I get so much satisfaction knowing I have helped someone and made their day.”

Son Jan Bunes commented: “We had been trying to get Mum to go to hospital to be checked but she refused point-blank as she was convinced that if she was admitted, she would never be able to return home. Thank goodness Mum had Michelle looking after her. As an experienced carer, she took one look at Mum and she could tell she was seriously ill and told her she was going to call an ambulance.

“If it hadn’t been for Michelle, Mum wouldn’t be here today – it’s that simple. When she was admitted, the doctors told us that Mum was seriously ill and if she hadn’t gone in that day she would have most likely experienced organ failure and not survived.

“Having Michelle has been a godsend. She is a brilliant carer. Along with many other carers, they carry out a difficult job and often don’t get the recognition they deserve. She is a great example of a highly professional and experienced carer and I’d like to thank her publicly for all that she does.”

Curam carer support team manager Jessica Huntley added: “Michelle is an example of the calibre of carers that are registered with Curam, who often go above and beyond their normal duties to deliver the type of care that we would all want for our loved ones. Thanks to her experience and professionalism, Betty is now home and doing well.”

After being nominated by Jan, Michelle was named Carer of the Month and awarded £100 in Amazon vouchers by the home-care technology platform, which is the largest of-its-kind in the UK. Curam matches carers to people needing care and now has more than 8,000 vetted, DBS-checked and self-employed carers.

To find out more about registering as a carer with Curam or to post your care requirements visit https://www.curamcare.com/

For media queries and more information contact: cathy@curamcare.com