Ivan and Eleanor, Merchant Navy
Helping wife of Merchant Naval officer access the best care for her husband and supporting family with grief during Covid-19
Photo of Ivan whilst serving in The Merchant Navy
Thank you for your kindness, help and support.
Eleanor, Merchant Navy spouse
Ivan, aged 86 years, had been a Master Mariner with the Merchant Navy for many years and in 1999 was awarded an MBE for services to the Marine dredging industry. Unfortunately over the past few years this very fit, strong man had developed Parkinsons disease and also dementia. Inevitably Ivan and Eleanor’s lives had changed drastically and she was now the sole carer for him. DMWS visited Eleanor when she was admitted to hospital. She was extremely concerned that she would be ‘out of action’ for a couple of months. This meant that Ivan would need to go into a Nursing Home and she was very worried that he would be confused without her and that he would not survive. She felt very guilty that she would be ‘abandoning’ him when he most needed her and that she couldn’t help feel that he was the priority. DMWS observed that this anxiety could hamper Eleanor’s recovery and that she might take back his care before she was fully recovered.
DMWS welfare officer Jan, spent a long time with Eleanor talking through all the options and helping her to understand that at this stage her own health was paramount. DWMS welfare officer helped Eleanor to accept that Ivan would be well cared for even if the Nursing Home did not stick to the strict regime that she had put in place for her husband – eg wearing a collar and tie every day, wearing shoes and not slippers! A placement was found for Ivan near their home and DMWS arranged for her to receive support from Age UK (Veterans) who would visit her and Ivan. They had never been apart except when Ivan was at sea.
Just as everything was going well, Covid-19 lockdown was put in place and after a lot of discussion with the Home – and observing all the guidelines, Eleanor was allowed to visit Ivan once a week. During Covid-19 DMWS kept in touch with Eleanor as I knew that this would be a very difficult time for her and she felt that he was getting a little frail. However, she was totally unprepared for his death yesterday morning – quite unexpected. Covid-19 is such a difficult time to experience bereavement as Eleanor was on her own and cannot receive the normal support from friends and family. Shocked and devastated DMWS welfare staff have remained in touch with and continue to support her for as long as it is needed.
Key Outcomes:
- Supported SU to come to terms with her situation and also to make good decisions about the best way forward for herself and her husband.
- Helped SU to accept that her health was a priority after the operation and if she didn’t take good care of herself, she would possibly need to be re-admitted to hospital.
- Helped to get the best care for her husband and into a Nursing Home.
- Relieved SU’s anxiety and stress which could have increased and made her depressed and unwell.
- Supported SU through bereavement at this difficult time preventing mental health deterioration.
- Improved SUs experience of hospital – and also gave her confidence that there was support from the Merchant Navy Welfare Board and Defence Medical Welfare Services – that we were working effectively together and she was not alone.
- Reduced feelings of isolation and being overwhelmed.
Photo of Ivan whilst serving in The Merchant Navy