I see very little of dad's carers. They are always set to come when I am at work, frequently are different people, and have very little to do with me. Besides my name being in the front of dad's care plan (and I do wonder how many of them read that) many of them don't know I exist.
I have no issue with them as such, except for when they behave as if I'm never there. I should imagine that as dad is living in a clean house with two healthy cats, that the cupboards are stocked and the washing done that it should be obvious that someone is taking care of him, but nevertheless I feel sometimes as if they think he lives alone.
I came back from work on Wednesday to find a note in dad's care plan: "Rang bank as he seemed confused about money." As some of you may know this has long been an issue with us as just discussing money makes him paranoid and accusatory, and I have been dealing with all the finances for the last six months. Unfortunately I can't stop letters from the bank still arriving addressed to him (albeit infrequently), which increases his confusion and paranoia. So anyway, I was a little annoyed but I removed the offending statement and thought no more of it. Until Saturday, that is, when dad gets a phone call from the bank asking to verify his details. Of course he's unable so I end up talking to the lady on the phone. It turns out that he rang them FIVE TIMES on Wednesday, resulting in all his cards being cancelled, a new bank card being sent out with a new pin number and a passbook for his entire savings account. I am just thankful I was at home when the phone call came. The lady at the bank was very understanding. Although she could not stop some of it she cancelled the passbook and put a block on the new bank card (which I had managed to pick up when it arrived) with a note on his account to explain the situation.
In a sense it was a relief to know that it had been sorted and it is unlikely to happen again, but now I am thinking what if another over-helpful carer decides to interfere in some other way? How do I prevent that? Can I ring up and tell them not to interfere as they don't have a clue what the consequences are? I would have thought they should. Surely they deal with other people with dementia? I can't be the only one. I'm feeling like it's a bit of a delicate situation though. I don't want to come across as domineering or heartless. I've already got into one 'discussion' with them about his care, or apparent lack of it. Not that they are treating him badly, just a little ignorantly at times. So do I ring them or just hope for the best?
I have no issue with them as such, except for when they behave as if I'm never there. I should imagine that as dad is living in a clean house with two healthy cats, that the cupboards are stocked and the washing done that it should be obvious that someone is taking care of him, but nevertheless I feel sometimes as if they think he lives alone.
I came back from work on Wednesday to find a note in dad's care plan: "Rang bank as he seemed confused about money." As some of you may know this has long been an issue with us as just discussing money makes him paranoid and accusatory, and I have been dealing with all the finances for the last six months. Unfortunately I can't stop letters from the bank still arriving addressed to him (albeit infrequently), which increases his confusion and paranoia. So anyway, I was a little annoyed but I removed the offending statement and thought no more of it. Until Saturday, that is, when dad gets a phone call from the bank asking to verify his details. Of course he's unable so I end up talking to the lady on the phone. It turns out that he rang them FIVE TIMES on Wednesday, resulting in all his cards being cancelled, a new bank card being sent out with a new pin number and a passbook for his entire savings account. I am just thankful I was at home when the phone call came. The lady at the bank was very understanding. Although she could not stop some of it she cancelled the passbook and put a block on the new bank card (which I had managed to pick up when it arrived) with a note on his account to explain the situation.
In a sense it was a relief to know that it had been sorted and it is unlikely to happen again, but now I am thinking what if another over-helpful carer decides to interfere in some other way? How do I prevent that? Can I ring up and tell them not to interfere as they don't have a clue what the consequences are? I would have thought they should. Surely they deal with other people with dementia? I can't be the only one. I'm feeling like it's a bit of a delicate situation though. I don't want to come across as domineering or heartless. I've already got into one 'discussion' with them about his care, or apparent lack of it. Not that they are treating him badly, just a little ignorantly at times. So do I ring them or just hope for the best?