I care for my Mum who lives in her own home and has had and emergency line for about 6 years. (Before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
Mum has a phone package that gives unlimited time on all standard calls but each month she is charged a few extra pounds on top of this for premium rate calls, so I decided to query this with the phone company. After numerous calls, getting Mum to give her permission for me to speak to them direct and having to be sent a passcode, (no way was Mum going to remember this from 24 years ago!), they were able to give me the last 4 digits of the number being called. As I suspected it might be something to do with the emergency line, I gave them a call. They confirmed it was their number and the number of calls, (about 10 each month) was due to the line "checking itself". They also told me that the phone company should not charge for this and that "most others do not". Has anyone else had experience of this?
Also while dealing with the phone company, I decided to change to paperless bills to save a few more pounds. I gave them my email address and started getting emails from them and a notification of the next bill but I was unable to access the details. I eventually discovered that they were unable to do this as Mum doesn't have broadband, therefore I've had to go back to paper bills. I pointed out to them that, as Mum has no choice in this matter, she shouldn't be charged. They are unable to waiver the charge. Does anyone else think this is discrimination?
In my discussions with the phone company I asked whether it would be helpful to send a copy of my POA only to be told, "We don't deal with those." I think, a not very dementia company then!!!"
Mum has a phone package that gives unlimited time on all standard calls but each month she is charged a few extra pounds on top of this for premium rate calls, so I decided to query this with the phone company. After numerous calls, getting Mum to give her permission for me to speak to them direct and having to be sent a passcode, (no way was Mum going to remember this from 24 years ago!), they were able to give me the last 4 digits of the number being called. As I suspected it might be something to do with the emergency line, I gave them a call. They confirmed it was their number and the number of calls, (about 10 each month) was due to the line "checking itself". They also told me that the phone company should not charge for this and that "most others do not". Has anyone else had experience of this?
Also while dealing with the phone company, I decided to change to paperless bills to save a few more pounds. I gave them my email address and started getting emails from them and a notification of the next bill but I was unable to access the details. I eventually discovered that they were unable to do this as Mum doesn't have broadband, therefore I've had to go back to paper bills. I pointed out to them that, as Mum has no choice in this matter, she shouldn't be charged. They are unable to waiver the charge. Does anyone else think this is discrimination?
In my discussions with the phone company I asked whether it would be helpful to send a copy of my POA only to be told, "We don't deal with those." I think, a not very dementia company then!!!"