Health and Social Care in Scotland

[smartieplum]

Just looking for a bit of feedback on peoples' experience with this. Mine, not so good.

 

[Dearie Me]

I’m also in Scotland, but our experience has been mostly positive. If you give a wee bit more info, I can let you know how we got on. We have gone through the full process, from occasional day care, gradually increasing, to respite then a move into residential care. More recently Mum had to move to a nursing home. During the whole experience we have also gone from self funding to local authority funding with no problems.

 

[Izzy]

I'm also in Scotoand. My mum died in 2011 and my husband in July 16. Mum had vascular dementia for around 5 years and my husband's diagnosis of Alzheimer's was in 2001. They were both at home with me until the last.

I began with agency carers for. My mum and that was not successful. Around 6 or 7 years ago I moved to Direct Payments (now known as self directed support). We had an excellent care manager who undertook the assessments and we were allocated a number of hours. The Dundee Carers Centre supported me in the employment of two carers and our exoerience was very positive.

I know that now, in Scotland, people are entitled to a year's post diagnostic support. This wasn't available when we were in the system but I believe that this is provided by a dementia nurse. I can't comment on how successful this is.

Have you contacted your local branch of Alzheimer Scotland? If not you'll find your local branch here -

https://www.alzscot.org

They will have a dementia advisor and their helpline is open 24/7. The phone number for that is in this link- https://www.alzscot.org/services_and_support/dementia_helpline

 

[Batsue]

I am also in Scotland, mum was diagnosed 3 years ago and we were allocated a dementia link worker for 1 year which involved her visiting us 4 times during that year for little more than a chat and a cup of tea. So far we have not had to ask for any further help although I can see this changing in the near future.

 

[scattysue]

I care for my sister who has Alzheimers - both living in Scotland about 30 miles from each other. My sister lives alone and has 4 home care visits each day - most of the time this works reasonably well. She also goes to Day Care three days per week which is a real help - she loves the people at the centre and looks forward to going on her allocated days - she has no memory of what she has done when she returns but always says she has enjoyed herself.
Recently, there has been a marked deterioration in her condition, and I am currently trying to access some extra "companion time" for her especially at the weekends. I am also looking into the possibility of some respite care.
On the whole I have found the local authority to be helpful in providing the care she needs and I am grateful for the help the home care and day care staff provide as she could not remain living independently without this help.