Yesterday a long walk shortly before lunch made a significant impact on Maureen’s presentation.  It also provided food for thought on helping Maureen to find purpose in her life.

Maureen had been going through a tough period in the morning either sleeping or looking confused as she tried to find something to fill her time.  At one stage she became very upset: convinced that men were following her into the toilet.  Despite my reassurance her distress continued for quite some time.

Around 11 am she woke from her latest sleep crying that she ‘didn’t like it here and wanted to go home’.  As she was feeling hot she went outside to walk around the garden.  I joined her and asked her if she wanted to go for a walk.

We walked for around an hour to the nearby Country Park.  On route we chatted to a couple of dog walkers and their young children.  Maureen came into her own chatting to one toddler after another.  This led me to wonder if we could find more opportunities to be in the company of young children.  We might even be able to find some voluntary work in a creche or playgroup.  This would address one of Maureen’s concerns that she feels useless,as she is not doing anything worthwhile. It would also give her an opportunity to be maternal, a role she clearly enjoys.