Case study 2- Peter
• Peter is an 82 year old man who lives alone. He has restricted mobility due to a
previous stroke and mobilises with a Zimmer frame. He has a catheter in place and
District Nurses visit for routine catheter changes.
• Following the stroke Peter's health and mobility were gradually worsening and this
impacts his ability to attend to his care needs and his home condition has also
deteriorated. Peter has begun hoarding items such as books and newspapers, as well
as medications with piles of boxes of paracetamol and tubs of emollients evident. There
are large amounts of waste and rubbish and there is vermin present in the property.
Peter is also a heavy smoker and there is evidence of cigarette burns to armchair and
bed linen.
• Peter has no family close by, his neighbour would visit and drop off food when needed
as he is increasingly becoming more isolated and reluctant to leave his home.
• Peter has also had frequent attendances to hospital due to recurrent falls and recurrent
chest infections. Peter has refused any package of care stating he can manage at
home.
• Peter has Type 2 Diabetes and Asthma but does not engage with GP reviews.
• At a recent home visit by the District Nursing team the home was reported to be
freezing and Peter was using a single electric heater. Peter stated he was keeping the
heating off due to the increase in cost. At this visit Peter was admitted to hospital with
shortness of breath, high temperature and query sepsis.