Social Services putting people at risk!

jemima62

Registered User
Mar 10, 2009
39
0
County Durham
:eek:
Hi there everyone,
I'm sure I'm not alone in having problems dealing with the SS. My mam started showing signs of dementia about four years ago (my gran had AD and the behaviour patterns are almost identical). As I don't live close by I asked Social Services to step in as there were a number of concerns regarding her safety and vulnerability. My sister and her family, who moved in with her after my dad died, had been taking money from her for years and continued to do so after they moved out over three years ago(leaving no forwarding address and a pile of bills which are still coming!). Money has still been disappearing, despite appointeeship being given to SS, along with instructions not to give my mother large amounts of cash (she NEVER leaves the house and does not do any shopping). Before Christmas 2008, the police were brought in to investigate yet another cash 'disappearance'. No charges were brought as my mother would be an unreliable witness! Needless to say, SS failed to inform me about any of these incidents for reasons they have yet to explain.
Anyhow, the main thing I am concerned about at the moment is that a 'Safeguarding' meeting was set up after the police involvement (guess who wasn't invited or even told about it) and it was decided to put a SAFE in my mam's house! So as well as worrying about her dementia I now have the fear of a bogus caller discovering this device and the possible aftermath of that. It is not particularly well hidden and of course, my mam couldn't possibly give the combination. Despite her mental state and frailty, she is still a feisty lady who would tackle anyone getting through the door rather than run outside for help. Yes, it may be just hypothetical but it sure as hell scares the wits out of me. I have made a formal complaint about this (and other issues whish the SS are failing on, unfortunately) but the general consensus is that 'action will be taken, meetings will be set up etc etc' whilst everyone shuffles the problem from one department/worker to another. I have no doubt that action will indeed be taken, after something serious happens as is usually the case with the SS. No wonder they have such a pathetic reputation for getting things wrong!
Worried sick
Jemima
 

ElaineMaul

Registered User
Jan 29, 2005
333
0
64
Hi Jemima,
That is terrible!
Not sure what to advise!
However, does the appointeeship work under the safety net of the public guardianship office? If it does, perhaps a phone call to them might help?

As for the safe? Who paid for that? What possible use can it be?

Hope someone else can give you better advice but just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you and hope you can get something sorted out.

Elaine
 

jemima62

Registered User
Mar 10, 2009
39
0
County Durham
Thanks Elaine,
I am still trying to find out who paid for the safe. Since only one carer has access to my mam's money and I have finally managed to persuade SS NOT to give her large amounts of money (after two years of trying!) I have no idea why there is any need for a safe, so your guess is as good as mine. There is also an ongoing problem with carers claiming to be there when they have not turned up. On one occasion I arrived at my mam's to find that the carer had already filled in the diary, claiming that my mam had been given a cuppa and was ready for bed, fifteen minutes after I had got there! (she didn't turn up at all). Unfortunately, this means that their integrity is questionable as well, which only makes matters worse.
Many Thanks,
Jemima.
 

ElaineMaul

Registered User
Jan 29, 2005
333
0
64
Well ... someone needs a rocket for sure!

A stern letter to whoever is in charge for starters! Copying the MP for the area?

Surely they aught to include you in any decisions they make? At least to keep you informed?

Elaine
 

JPG1

Account Closed
Jul 16, 2008
3,391
0
Hi Jemima,

Your story of the SS is appalling.

Elaine has asked the question I was about to ask: when you talk of 'appointeeship', do you mean via the DWP which gives the appointee the right to handle pension payments, claims, and other benefit claims. Or do you mean via the OPG, which gives greater powers. Either way, I would certainly make that phone call.

And do you mean that large amounts of cash are kept in the house, and now in the Safe? If so, I wonder why? Or did the money 'disappear' from a bank/post office account?

Good luck, don't envy you this one!
.
 

jemima62

Registered User
Mar 10, 2009
39
0
County Durham
I've started the formal complaints procedure and have already mentioned the magic word 'MP' which has resulted in a surprising flurry of emails. Problem is, eight people from four agencies or departments are now directly involved, with more no doubt under the surface. Guess what, they all seem to be blaming each other or passing the buck. I'm just going to have to give them a tiny bit more time before sending in the big guns (press coverage, perhaps, that might get them to sit up and take notice). The sad thing is, dementia sufferers with no-one to stand up for them (or relatives who couldn't care less) will be getting the same treatment or worse.
Jemima
 

ElaineMaul

Registered User
Jan 29, 2005
333
0
64
I couldn't agree more about your comment about dementia sufferers with no one to fight their corner.

I'll have to update my own thread about CHC ..... have to be tonight! ..... but because I have stirred things up re Dad being in just a general mental health ward, they phoned yesterday after their ward round meeting to say they will be transferring him to the specialist dementia ward.

Am I cynical that this is only because I complained? (and formally with a letter plus 2 follow up meetings?)

There are lots of people there who don't seem to have any visitors .... from which I assume no family to stand up for them .... who speaks for them?

Elaine
 

jemima62

Registered User
Mar 10, 2009
39
0
County Durham
It breaks my heart to think of people struggling with dementia alone. The saddest thing is that any one of us could be struck down with this horrible disease but it seems to be near the bottom of the list when it comes to health care issues. It seems once you get past a certain age, you join a forgotten army unless you are lucky enough to 'keep your faculties'. It's high time the government put more effort into research in this area and started supporting the rights of sufferers, including safeguarding them from harm. In installing a safe, the SS have given the impression that my mam may have valuables on the premises when she actually has very little money and nothing of any great value. All this because someone was robbing her of what little she had...it makes my blood boil!
Jemima
 

x-lauren-x

Registered User
Mar 6, 2007
125
0
Hiya
so sorry to hear about your situation- this is exactly what happened with my uncle. We moved from case social worker to psychiatric nurse to different departments and it was only when my uncle went outside alone and became lost that the police stepped in and took action, i totally understand how worried you are this is exactly what happened to us. Keep on social services back, they put you on hold or phone you back but keep going and write down the name of everyone you speak to- my mum found that really useful because she could quote what someone else said to the next person until we finaly found the relevent person. We also had risk assessments, with someone else's name on, they would talk about my uncle in the first line then say 'Vera is very good at..' we have no relative called vera so it was clear the report was an identical copy of a different patient- again we had to get back onto social services, keeping harrassing them until someone actually took notice. Do you have a local police number? other than an emergancy line? as ss are totally aware of your worries like they were with us, we phoned this local police number when we were worried about something- eg my uncle being lost or wondering about in the dark alone- although they could do little they alerted ss every time until eventually they HAD to take notice.
I really hope you can sort it out soon , but if nothing works i know this is a tried and tested method! Like everyone whos commented its just heartbreaking to watch someone you love struggling when so much help could be available to them in the right situation.
Good luck and really hope this is sorted soon, dont give up :) DO let us know how you get on- i hope this hs been some help :)
lots of love
lauren xxx
 

jemima62

Registered User
Mar 10, 2009
39
0
County Durham
Thanks Lauren,
While I despair for my own mam and for the many others who have no support network, people like you gladden my heart and I'm so pleased to have found this site
Love & hugs,
Jemima
 

jemima62

Registered User
Mar 10, 2009
39
0
County Durham
Hi there,
It's been a couple of weeks since I last posted in this thread so I thought I'd do an update. My formal complaint to the care agency has still not been resolved (37 days and still counting). Because it is so complex, my written complaint to SS is still ongoing, although I have already made them fully aware of the main problems via a series of emails. One of the 'carers' who faslified the diary has now been promoted to the early evening visit when I am more likely to bump into her as this is the time I normally go. This was after I told SS that I was very wary of visiting when carers may be present, which seems rather an odd move to make. I have now lost count of how many people are actually involved as each communication, which all consist mainly of the following: We are investigating your problem (but are not actually doing anything about it!). I have had a number of messages left on my answering machine, all asking me to 'discuss the matter' but have stated very clearly that I will certainly not discuss anything until I have a full written response to my complaint. This has been promised in numerous emails but has never materialised. I have now asked for everything to be put in writing as this prevents any doubt and is irretractable. I have already had several 'discussions' over the telephone with Care Company name removed by moderator and SS, none of which have resolved anything. Some facts have been twisted or denied in later conversations, hence my desire to have a written record of what has been discussed from now on. Has anyone else been met with such a wall of silence when dealing with care agencies and the SS? How on earth do you get these people to respond without resorting to going round and giving them a good shake? :mad:

Will give any more info as (or if!) I get it,
Take Care
Jemima:)
 
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JPG1

Account Closed
Jul 16, 2008
3,391
0
Has anyone else been met with such a wall of silence when dealing with care agencies and the SS? How on earth do you get these people to respond without resorting to going round and giving them a good shake? :mad:

Well, Jemima, the short answer to your first question: yes.

The long answer: many many people posting here on TP have had similar problems trying to break through that wall of silence. Or rather a wall of silence somewhere on the road from the start of dementia to ... where they are today.

And the short answer to your second question: there is little you can do.

It is sometimes impossible to get a response, and you can do little about it. Lead the horse to water, but you can't make the horse drink! You can't force them to put pen to paper, or finger to keyboard.

Does not apply to everyone, of course, because that old familiar postcode lottery comes into play. There is little you can do about it. And often, people who have never experienced what you are going through may well shake their heads and put it all down to the way you yourself have handled the situation. But, so often, it comes down to ... pure chance. Or rather, impure chance!!

You need to prepare yourself for the fact that your complaint is unlikely to receive more than a "thank you for bringing this to our attention. We are sorry to hear you have had cause to bring this complaint to us, and we are ... ... ..." followed by ... ...

37 days and counting? Well, experience suggests you may need to keep on counting!

Good luck, and keep us all updated on your progress. Care in the UK is not what it once was, so ... keep up the struggle to improve Care in the UK.


.
 

jemima62

Registered User
Mar 10, 2009
39
0
County Durham
Update

Hi there,
A lot has happened since I last posted! :eek:
I attended a meeting last week with the council, SS and care provider. At last, the penny seems to have dropped and everyone seems to be getting their fingers out!
The SS and care agency have finally agreed that mam needs specialist care and she is not receiving it at the moment. I am now waiting for my mam's needs to be PROPERLY assessed so that she can begin receiving the specialist care she deserves. How anyone can fail to spot the symptoms of dementia for over three years has been exasperating. Sadly, she is probably too far gone now for Aricept or other drugs to slow down the disease. I am bracing myself for the inevitable day when she is taken into care, but at least people are now listening. What a shame I have had to battle so hard, and what happens to those who have no-one to battle for them?

When I got back from work last night a miracle had occurred! The SW had persuaded mam to go into a respite centre (she has refused to leave the house for over a year). I spoke to a lady at the centre who was lovely and told me that mam has been telling everyone about her time in the Land Army and all of the pubs she used to run. I feel as if a HUGE weight has been lifted as I have been worried about my mam ever since my dad died in 1993, and more so since she started showing signs of dementia about 5 years ago. I know it will be a long battle (knowing mam, she will insist on going back home before long) but at least that first hurdle has been overcome and she is safe.
 
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