Colin’s Story

Colin is in his late 50s, lives alone and has always valued his independence. But over time, a number of health conditions began to impact his ability to look after himself.

His daughters did their best to support him from a distance, but this was a struggle. He didn’t want to be a burden, and asking for help didn’t come naturally. He engaged with The Kitchen Companions as he wanted to be more self-sufficient.

Over several weeks, a companion called Lydia visited regularly, building trust and rapport. Colin began to look forward to their conversations and the connection they shared. But after a couple of months, Lydia noticed some worrying changes. Colin’s mood had noticeably declined, his appearance seemed neglected, his appetite had faded, and alcohol consumption had increased. Because of the strong relationship they’d built, Lydia was able to gently explore what was going on beneath the surface.

He revealed he’d been living with significant pain from a hip condition and was on the waiting list for surgery. He assumed he just had to endure the pain until then, and hadn’t told his daughter because he didn’t want to worry them.

Lydia encouraged and supported him to find the confidence to speak to his daughter about what was going on. She quickly arranged a GP appointment, and together the GP was able to prescribe a pain management plan that made a real difference.

In just a short time, the change in Colin was remarkable. His mood lifted, he began to take more pride in his appearance again, his appetite returned, and the signs of alcohol dependence eased. Most importantly, he felt more in control and more connected—to his family and to himself.

“The prescription has been changed and has made a huge improvement, thank you"

- Ms S (Daughter)