A tough couple of years

It’s been a tough couple of years for Michael Steciuk as a series of falls led to him being hospitalised on several occasions.

Now though Michael, 73, is hoping to get back onto his feet and with the support of Caremark Leeds Bradford, he has been able to leave hospital and recover back at home with his wife of 49 years, Irene.

Carers visit every morning to help Michael get out of bed, have a wash and shave and be ready for the day. They return in the evening to help him into bed.

“They have been very good to me, without them I don’t know what I’d do,” said Michael, who worked as a tyre fitter, then with a packaging company and finally a council bus company before retiring.

Irene, 72, says they couldn’t cope without the help from Caremark.

“Michael will not go into a care home, he wants to be at home and that’s what we want,” said Irene. “It’s such a relief that thanks to the help we get from Caremark he can do that, they are wonderful.”

Michael’s parents were from Ukraine and he still has many family members in a part of the country that has so far escaped the Russian attacks.

He enjoys watching a Ukrainian TV channel and also following the fortunes of Leeds United and Bradford City football clubs who have both had good seasons.

As Michael gradually improves, he and Irene have two goals in mind.

They want to visit Prague later this year for the wedding of a niece. Then next year they hope to celebrate their Golden Wedding anniversary with family in Ukraine.

“I’m pleased to be out of hospital and back home,” said Michael. “I’m getting better each day and looking forward to the two trips.”