Mr Paul Sagermann likes to be addressed as Mr Sagermann at all times and will correct you if you forget.
Mr Sagermann moved into Grange on the 28th August 2015 after having lived in The Willows (a MacIntyre Registered Care Service) for many years. Moving house is a big deal for all of us and I wanted to share how the staff team supported Mr Sagermann’s move.
We involved Mr Sagermann and his sister Diane with each step of his house move and this included Diane also visiting the service just before Mr Sagermann moved in and again shortly after.
It was decided that Mr Sagermann’s first visit would take place when the people who currently live at Grange were not at home, as we collectively felt it may have been overwhelming for everyone involved. He came with support for his first viewing and took lots of photos. He was comfortable with the house right from the start and told his sister he was looking forward to moving in.
Mr Sagermann then visited again when the people who live at Grange were at home and staff observations were a fundamental part of these visits to ensure compatibility for all three people.
Because Mr Sagermann moved from a Registered Care house to a Supported Living house he required support to have a benefit re-assessment in order to ensure he would be receiving the correct amount of benefits. We also needed to ensure his Employment and Support Allowance would be paid direct to him now as opposed to MacIntyre. Mr Sagermann was supported to set up another bank account as he was known to empty his existing account of all his money. Having two accounts means he has one to pay his bills from and the other to use as he chooses which works really well.
It took about two months to arrange everything and staff supported Mr Sagermann every step of the way to achieve this.
He has settled in extremely well and has been asked regularly if he is happy and he always firmly says “yes” and that he likes it in his new home.
Mr Sagermann’s bedroom is fortunately big enough to house his personal pool table and he can be heard quite often playing pool. He prefers to play this on his own.
We have talked with Mr Sagermann about whether in the future he might like to go along to the Pool Team we have with Western Avenue. He said he might try this so we have decided to wait until he’s really settle in before mentioning it again, but we are hoping this may be an excellent opportunity for him to make some new friends
Mr Sagermann’s confidence is growing and he is now communicating with his staff team and the other people he lives with more. Relationships are developing as he begins to understand and get to know everyone. He feels comfortable with the area he lives in and each morning after breakfast goes out to do his shopping or just have a walk into Chester and chat/meet with people.
Staff working in a facilitative and person centred way have undoubtedly ensured Mr Sagermann has settled in so well and is living a life that makes sense to him.
Lynn Clarke
Head of Service
Chester Supported Living