Home after four years in a nursing home

Minister for Care Services Ivan Lewis' final destination on his visit to Rochdale was to the Newhey home of Janet Dyet and her wheelchair bound mother Jean Riley to see the result of what can be achieved when care services get it right.

In what is a quite remarkable story, Mrs Riley has returned home after over four years being miserable in a nursing home. This has been made possible by her loving daughter and Rochdale Council. Mrs Dyet has a very strong sense of family and is an articulate and tenacious advocate for her mother. Talking to Mr Lewis she was quite firm when saying that looking after relatives is part of being family. She said: "Our parents look after us as children and it is right that we look after them when they are elderly if they need us to, it should not all be the responsibility of the Council or the Government."

Mr Lewis saw how Mrs Riley's homecoming had been made possible: extensive adaptations made to the house including a ramp at the front door, a hoist in the living room, a disabled friendly bathroom, a further hoist in the bedroom and most impressive of all, a compact lift between the two floors.

Mrs Dyet told Mr Lewis the council had at times been difficult to deal with but overall she was delighted with the work that had been done.

Mrs Riley said she felt much happier living at home, and the constant smile on her face was testament to that. Mrs Dyet said her mother's feeling of independence had been restored, though obviously she is still in need a considerable degree of care.

Mr Lewis waved goodbye to Mrs Riley with a smile on his own face after what had been a difficult day hearing the desperate experiences of what happens when adult care services get it wrong, but clearly heartened at an excellent example of what can be achieved when they get it right.

Debbie Abrahams, a candidate in the ward in the forthcoming local elections who accompanied Mr Lewis on his visit said to Rochdale Online's reporter later: "I was so glad you came to see Janet and Jean - Janet does such a great job."

Date article online: 26/04/2008