9th August 2024

Tuesday 6th August was a special day for Derrick and his wife Julia - it was the first time they had left their house together for three years.

Derrick, who lives with Alzheimer's, is a former MoD draughtsman and has many hobbies and interests.

Health problems since Covid, combined with a badly overgrown alleyway, mean he has not been able to step outside his home since 2021. But this week support worker Debbie Fitchen and Derrick's wife Julia joined forces to achieve their first trip out together.. 

Julia said: "It was a wonderful day. I have been thinking about this and planning how we could do it for a long time now. We couldn’t do it alone but with Debbie’s help we managed it. I would never have done it on my own but it was so lovely. We had lots of laughs, it was like two wobblies going along!"

It is a comfortable prison, but it is a prison

Julia added: "People don’t know what it is like when you never ever get out, it is so hard. It is a comfortable prison, but it is a prison.  The only time I do have is when Debbie is here and then I just do the shopping."

She said she wanted to spread the word about their day out. "I loved seeing it on Facebook and it might give other people hope. When they think they can’t do something, but they can.

"We will do it again, now we know that we can. I have someone to do the grass at the back. If there are two of us there, we can do it."

How having a support worker has helped

Julia said Debbie had made a huge difference to how the couple coped with Derrick's dementia. 

"He loves Debbie, she is very very good with him and I have taken leaves out of her book and do different things with him. She has a lovely gentle manner and very kind with him and has such good ideas.  She is a great source of inspiration to me. She has trained me and learning from her has made things easier for us."

Derrick chose Trowbridge Garden Centre for his first outing. He had a good look around and then headed for the cafe, where he enjoyed the biggest slice of chocolate cake he could find.

Debbie, who has supported Derrick for five years, said: "It was an amazing day for both of them. For a long time we didn't think it would be possible and we had to do a lot of planning but on the day it all came together and but we managed to have a few laughs on the way.

"Derrick has been very poorly. A year ago I used to sit by his bedside and just hold his hand. Then we could get him into a wheelchair which gave him the chance to go into different rooms and have different things to do. We started to draw again and to bake, which is something he had always enjoyed. 

"Julia is amazing with him and between us we try to keep his mind active and create opportunities where we can. Yesterday was a real milestone for them both and it was a privilege to be part of it."

More about Home Support