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I originally started this blog to record how long it would take to put into place state support for an isolated man who had been given a diagnosis of dementia, had savings but had no idea how to access them.

It has taken five monhs, visits to an MP and frequent contact with the Community Mental Health Team to achieve a package of support. The delay was attributed to the fact that Social Services were waiting for guardianship proceedings to be completed so that they could get control ...

Well, finally there's some movement in trying to get some support for John.

It's five months since he received a diagnosis of moderate dementia. Since that diagnosis he has not received any state support. His condition has rapidly deteriorated - his short term memory has been reduced to a few seconds; he is unable to care for himself; his house is in an appalling state; he suffers from major panic attacks; he does not recognise people; he is unable to manage his financial affairs ...

Thank you to everyone who has sent me replies on the forum or has commented on the blog. I intend to show all of this to the MP to illustrate how upset many people were by this story. Please keep commenting.

John has had his first bit of 'unofficial' state help. The mental health nurse who is now his case coordinator bathed him; this not part of her role but she offered to this because she was so concerned about John; she even bought the toiletries out of her own money.
...

There's a tiny glimmer of hope.

Although the situation remains the same, no support is avilable because John has too much money yet is too ill to access it, the nurse in the community mental health team has offered to come and bathe John while Kate and I wash his clothes. This is not part of her job but she realises that allowing John to continue being unwashed, unkempt and smelly is simply not tenable.
This, however, is likely to be a one off.

Kate and I went ...

First of all, thank you to everyone who has written to offer support or advice. I intend to keep writing this blog until some practical support is offered by the State. It is now three, nearly four months and we are stll waiting.

The problem seems to lie in several areas:
John does not have any known relatives.
He does not appear to have any close friends.
He has over £30000 in savings although he has no idea how to access this.
He is not yet in receipt ...