Walfinch Franchisee Ian Thompson Warns Against Assuming that Post-Covid Memory Problems are the Onset of Dementia

Carefully tailored care from a Walfinch home care franchisee and his team has helped a former surgeon recover from dementia-like symptoms brought on by Covid-19.

Now franchisee Ian Thompson is highlighting the role franchised care services can play in tackling the longer-term effects of Covid and warning that they should not be mistaken for dementia.

“When Covid-19 left this gentleman with mobility issues and memory problems that could have been interpreted as dementia, we were asked to provide visiting and overnight care for him,” says Ian Thompson, managing director of the Walfinch home care franchise in Welwyn and Bishops Stortford.

“He was in his 80s and had previously played golf, but after recovering from Covid he needed help with memory issues and to negotiate the steps and uneven floors in his house,” says Ian.

Given their client’s symptoms, Ian and his care team member Tabitha Bechian based their approach on the dementia care training that all Walfinch carers receive.

“That included spending lots of time interacting with him – Tabitha enjoyed it because he had lots of interesting stories about his career, children and his own schooldays,” says Ian. “Gradually, over six months of dedicated interaction and help with physiotherapy his short-term memory improved, as did his mobility. He’s now back on the golf course and working on his handicap.”

It’s important that post-Covid symptoms are not mistaken for the onset of dementia, says Ian.

“Problems with memory and concentration are recognised by the NHS as post-Covid symptoms,” says Ian. “In older people in particular, there is a risk that these are assumed to be the onset of dementia and seen as something that is impossible to reverse.

“Our experience shows that this is not always the case – post-Covid memory issues can get better and may be helped by increased interaction, which makes the brain more active. We want to get this message out to the wider community so more people are encouraged to invest the time interacting with loved ones to help them recover.

“It’s happy endings like these that help enrich my life as a Walfinch franchisee,” says Ian.

Walfinch is looking for new franchisees who prioritise care quality while wanting to build a business.