An unmistakable affection

Linda Beardmore has unmistakable affection for two particular things, the town of Cheltenham and the support she receives from her main carer at Caremark Cheltenham and Gloucester, Clare Turville.

“I was born in Cheltenham, worked in Cheltenham and live in Cheltenham and that’s where I’m going to remain,” she says with pride.

“And Clare is absolutely wonderful; she really looks after me!”

Linda worked as a PA at Lloyds Bank for 25 years. It was here she met her husband Alan. She was happily married to Alan for almost 50 years before his sad passing three years ago.

To compound her grief, Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer just a few years after Alan’s death. After successful treatment, she was then dealt a further blow when she suffered a stroke which dramatically changed her mobility and independence.

Reaching out to Caremark for support

This has left Linda unable to walk without an aid although she is determined to correct this. She says, “I’m working on that with a physiotherapist.”

These challenges led Linda’s niece to reach out to Caremark for support. Since then, Linda receives three visits a day to help with tasks such as personal care and meal preparation. This support is essential whilst she works hard to regain her strength.

“At the moment I can’t do an awful lot for myself, but I do try as much as I can and I just desperately want to move on,” she says with resilience.

Clare and Linda make a perfect team

A major source of comfort and confidence in this journey has been her relationship with Clare, a a former chef who brings far more than basic care. For example, Clare cooks home‑prepared meals, often in batches, to help Linda through the week. She has even been stocking Linda’s freezer ahead of her (Claire’s) own upcoming knee operation.

Today, Linda remains focused on recovery. With physiotherapy, determination and continued assistance from Caremark, she hopes one day to regain her independence fully.

“Hopefully, at some point, I won’t need Caremark at all because I’ll have got back on my feet,” she says.

This is an aspiration that everyone at Caremark Cheltenham and Gloucester wholeheartedly supports!

About Caremark Cheltenham & Gloucester

If, like Linda, you need a little help getting back in your feet after an operation, or something else which has affected your mobility, please view our range of homecare services in Cheltenham & Gloucester, or call us on 01242 370797