Supporting Simon to live healthy

Simon has always had a healthy appetite but his weight was never much of a problem. For many years, he had a stable and consistent team who encouraged him to eat healthy home cooked meals and supported him to get regular exercise, restricting unhealthy snacks and fast food to a weekly treat.

But things changed and his support arrangements broke down. The support Simon received began falling very far below the mark and he was left supported, by inexperienced and under-confident support workers. Simon’s assessed hours did not meet his needs. As a result food started to be used as a pacifier and Simon stopped going out. Simon’s support no longer considered what was in his best interest or whether he had capacity to make good decisions about what he ate and where he went.

When Simon began being supported by Dimensions, things didn’t immediately get better. Despite all our efforts, Simon continued to gain weight. Following 18 months of change and uncertainty (in which Simon had moved into a new home, in a new town, with new support staff, a new GP, a new hairdresser and shops), he was understandably in a very anxious state.

This period was difficult for Simon and everyone involved in his life. Simon’s family and support team were all concerned about the effect this was having on his health and his future.

But then things turned around dramatically. The turning point came when Vikki, Simon’s Locality Manager arranged a best interest meeting with Simon’s Consultant Psychiatrist, his Lead Support Worker and Dimensions’ Behaviour Analyst.

After some very honest, open and sometimes emotional discussions together, in which hard facts were faced and brave decisions were made, everyone left the meeting in agreement about what the next steps would be and it was evident everyone involved cared deeply about what was best for Simon.

The outcome of the meeting was a freshly motivated support team, who devised a strategy to support Simon to make different choices:

• To avoid upset or distress, Simon should not feel restricted in any way, so we agreed that Simon would continue to have his treats and we would make adjustments at home.
• Adjustments were subtle, done slowly and only one at a time.
• As we would be unable to take Simon to a group, we all researched and agreed that we could follow the slimming world principles at home with Simon.
• We would cook meals at home from scratch for Simon. That way Simon could choose his favourite meals: curry, pasta, sausages, a roast, and we made sure the healthiest ingredients went in to these meals.
• We fill at least a third of Simon’s plate with vegetables, so he never sees a small plate of food and is never left frustrated because he wants more.

At the same time as developing the strategy to manage Simon’s food, Simon’s Consultant Psychiatrist proposed a change in medication that might assist his team in reducing Simon’s obsession with food.

Today, two years on, Simon is six stone lighter and everyone’s hard work and dedication is clearly visible in his transformation. Amanda Watson, Simon’s mum and Dimensions Associate Family Consultant, said:

 

*Photo not of Simon*