Mum taken home by policeman!

[no.7]

My poor mum sneaked out of her house whilst the carer was upstairs today. She walked about 2 miles to a large supermarket that she never usually goes to. After talking to a member of staff about how she doesn't feel safe at home (she believes people steal her things when she can't find them because she hides stuff all over the house) the police were called!

She is safely at home again now with her carer, and was in a better mood after an hour or two.

It is early days still with the home carers and we are really hoping it works out because she hated going into respite care - they had her on suicide watch!

Does anyone know if the police have a duty to contact social services in these cases?

 

[Grannie G]

I`ve no idea no.7 but my mother was the same and no one notified SS about her. It was several years ago though and things might have changed.

 

[DozyDoris]

What a worry for you, glad your Mum's home safe and sound.
We (the police) will normally only inform SS if we believe the person is vulnerable/at risk etc. We re-unite lots of people with dementia with their homes and loved ones, it happens alot, from hospitals, care homes you name it. In my force it is not policy to inform SS in your Mum's circs unless any of the above applied. Hope this is of some help.

 

[DozyDoris]

Ps...

It's really good that the supermarket called the police, I'm impressed

 

[Izzy]

When Bill was brought back by the police they put in a vulnerable person report. I was happy with this because it backed up my view that we needed carers and I think it helped my application for Direct Payments.

 

[scarletpauline]

That must have been a worry, it was good that they knew where to bring your mum to, did she remember her address? Love Pauline xx

 

[Bristolbelle]

Don't worry....

If there is any blme here it is with the carers, not you. The police would be the last of my worries, especially as despite everything Mum still manages a twinkle in the ey for a man in uniform. Seriously though I would be thanking the shop at their concern, wonderful that they took time to look out for her.le
Perhaps it will illustrate how vulnerable she is and lead to MORE support.

 

[cmnotz]

Exit alerts

Certainly in Scotland the police do advise Social Services, although it would usually take several vulnerable person reports before it became an Adult Support and Protection (ASP) matter.

You could pre-empt this by contacting Mum's Social Worker and asking for two things:

1. An OT assessment that she can safely cross the road and negotiate hazards when outdoors
2. An exit sensor be provided at the main door - this needs to be carefully assessed for; the aim is not to frighten Mum but to notify someone she has gone out. This might include a call on her home phone so that Carer's in her home are notified instantly or it might be a text/call to Community Alarm or to family members. It might also include a movement activated voice prompt to distract Mum from going out in the first place eg Mum weren't you going to make a cup of tea (or whatever appropriate suggestion could persuade her away from her focus on the door).

Exit sensors need to be used with care - it is not always beneficial to immediately return someone home - they can benefit from the exercise and fresh air of a walk and if they are safe enough and particularly if they go out during the day to reasonably safe places or can find their own way home just being aware they have gone out is sufficient.

If someone goes out at more risky times and/or to more risky location or more varied locations some form of GPS location (not to tag them as is often stated - but to allow them to be safely located and brought home) could be added providing it can be charged regularly and they would be sure to be carrying/wearing it.

The advantage of you pre-empting any formal procedures is it shows that you are proactive in ensuring Mum's safety in her current home; if this is the first time she has gone out or if she only goes out occasionally and she manages well with her existing care plan this event does not necessarily mean she needs to move to a permanent care home.

Some people are dismissive of telecare, but what I am suggesting is proven ... I have installed similar systems in our area - the key is in the assessment and using the technology with care.

Cathy

 

[no.7]

Thank you so much for all your helpful replies

When I rang my mum this morning she was happily getting ready to go for a walk with her carer, not a hint of yesterdays turmoil!

Luckily she does still remember where her home is, so for now we don't need to worry about her getting lost at least. But it is certainly a worry for the future.

 

[Bristolbelle]

The future...

When my Mum was she could still go out but there was at the stage she could go out but with some risk I took a few simple measures like putting an alert card in her purse, as well as taping a small note to her walking stick/rollator with her name, address, condition and a contact number. Hope this helps.

 

[Tolkny]

When I rang my mum this morning she was happily getting ready to go for a walk with her carer, not a hint of yesterdays turmoil!

Like with the rest of us, things we do not remember, might as well not have happened, frustrating though this can be for the others involved.

My mother in law went for a familiarisation visit to the Respite Care Home, that was being arranged for an emergency placement. When she was collected, she angrily said to her daughter (my wife) don't EVER take me there again. She happily accompanied me the following day when I escorted her to begin her two weeks stay. - We have checked the place out as best as we can, we need a break or her normal Care arrangements cannot be maintained and then she would need full time care.

I wonder if it might be worth contacting Police whilst incident is fresh and asking them to make a brief report to Social Services, that way it will be recorded and can be used as relevant confirmed information in making future assessments.