Re-assessment: Is social worker's recommendation set in stone?

[Sparenib]

Mum was re-assessed today by the social workers who saw her nearly two years ago. At the time they granted 9 hours Self-Directed Care budget. She was able to heat food, make tea, wash herself, tidy up, go shopping alone, visit church accompanied. Now she is often doubly incontinent, cannot prepare any food or drink, has had several falls, remains indoors, ignores her carer and stays in bed, is very negative to the family and will not eat prepared food (but will eat biscuits and sweets instead). Had an allergic reaction to Aricept and we are starting a new drug soon - needs twice-daily dose which we need carer's help to administer as we both work fulltime. The social worker has today offered 16 hours a week (14hrs personal care, 2hrs housework). I get the equivalent of 2 hrs a week carers allowance. This involves personal care with continence and washing, cooking, laundry, cleaning, accompanying on appointments, companionship etc. Question is, must we accept the social worker's suggested increase in care time, or push for what we believe Mum needs? Is the social worker's decision set in stone? We think thrice-daily visits (about 28 hrs / week) is reasonable. Anyone got any advice or comments?

[Christin]

Hello Sparenib, I am so sorry to read that your mum has deteriorated and understand how worrying this will be for you.

I don't think there is any harm in making your concerns known. It may be that the SW will see how the increased hours will work, and then reassess again, but don't be afraid to make contact with her.

Very best wishes to you and your mum

[ggma]

It is always worth making sure that your views are recorded, and if you feel the assessed support is not enough, then you should let the social worker know.

However LA because of the current lack of funding seem to have a very tight criteria about what they will and will not pay for, and Social Workers and Care Managers are not able to allocate outside the guidelines, so you may find that if you want more than they will agree to fund, you would have to make additional private arrangements.

Not really very satisfactory for you, but there is a tipping point, if the care at home becomes more expensive than care in a residential home would cost, then it gets very difficult to negotiate.

Hope you can sort something out you are happy with.

[Sparenib]

Thanks to both ggma and Christin; we're going to see how the 16 hours go - things are changing daily. She is now refusing to get up and her carer is spending most of the "companionship" time kicking her heels. We are thinking of organising frequent short visits for the basic functions of medication, toileting, food.

[ggma]

It is so difficult trying to sort out exactly what will help, and the amount of help needed, as you say things can change so quickly, and you need to make the most of what is on offer and make sure it does actually assist you and help things remain as stable as possible.

All the best, it is not an easy road, but it is one step at a time - hoping not too many are backward!