Hi
My mother has Vascular Dementia and as well as in the care of the relevant team at her Local Authority (LA) she was also under the local Community Mental Health Team, (CMHT). Following a number of 'episodes' (distressing for the family)whilst still living in her house (she received 4x daily care assistance arranged via her LA), it was felt necessary to contact the CMHT and ask for their assistance. They felt the best course of action was to offer respite Care, in the hope that mum would settle, after 3 weeks a re-assessment and with mum no better this was extended to the full 6 weeks of respite care. Mum's condition did not improve and CMHT considered, and the family agreed, that it was right for mum to remain in long-term care. Unfortunately the home that took mum for the respite was some distance from her house and therefore her group of friends, including those form her church (where she had been active for many years).
The family felt the best option was to look for a care home nearer her 'local' area, not least it meant that friends could more easily arrange visits. This care home is just outside of mum's LA but meets all the needs she has and offers excellent care and activities (when and if she wishes t join in!).
At the time of the going into care mum had more that the £23,250 in savings (mum was already contributing to her daily care costs). She also has her own house which has ben on the market for several months.
The LA in which she had lived (over 50 years) washed their hands of her once she was moved across the border into the neighbouring LA. I contacted the 'new' LA to ensure they had mums details but it took until the third call before they would listen. They had no details for her so did create a record and agreed that they would undertake an assessment of needs. This, I was told, could take up to 13 weeks!
With no contact and mums savings falling, contacted the 'new' LA and was told her case was gong to the legal department as she had been 'moved in' from a different LA and they needed to be certain as to who was responsible for the assessment / costs. A few weeks after I was told, by the 'new' LA that they would accept mum, with nothing further heard and funds falling (and the house still not sold) I again contact the LA and they advised they had given me the wrong information and it was for the original LA to deal with, they would, they iodised me, have their legal team talk to the other LA's legals and resolve.
As of today and with nothing more heard from either LA I contacted the original LA (ie where mums house is (it's still on the market) to be told by them it's not their responsibility its for the 'new' LA to carry out the assessment of need and deal with the 12 weeks disregard.
Bottom line is we now have enough funds to cover just two more months of care costs, a mum who is not fit to be in her own house (it has, in any case been largely emptied in the hope we can get a buyer) and two LA's saying that it's 'not them' that should deal with the case. The 'old' LA says that the new Care Act (I assume they refer to the CA2014) means its the responsibility of the LA in which she now lives. In return the 'new' LA, whilst not mentioning the CA2014) have said it's for the original LA to manage.
I fear I will not be the first family member who has encountered this, or indeed be the first family member who feels the 'state' has washed their hands of an elderly member of society.
Any advice on how we can unblock the system and hopefully resolve this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Roger
My mother has Vascular Dementia and as well as in the care of the relevant team at her Local Authority (LA) she was also under the local Community Mental Health Team, (CMHT). Following a number of 'episodes' (distressing for the family)whilst still living in her house (she received 4x daily care assistance arranged via her LA), it was felt necessary to contact the CMHT and ask for their assistance. They felt the best course of action was to offer respite Care, in the hope that mum would settle, after 3 weeks a re-assessment and with mum no better this was extended to the full 6 weeks of respite care. Mum's condition did not improve and CMHT considered, and the family agreed, that it was right for mum to remain in long-term care. Unfortunately the home that took mum for the respite was some distance from her house and therefore her group of friends, including those form her church (where she had been active for many years).
The family felt the best option was to look for a care home nearer her 'local' area, not least it meant that friends could more easily arrange visits. This care home is just outside of mum's LA but meets all the needs she has and offers excellent care and activities (when and if she wishes t join in!).
At the time of the going into care mum had more that the £23,250 in savings (mum was already contributing to her daily care costs). She also has her own house which has ben on the market for several months.
The LA in which she had lived (over 50 years) washed their hands of her once she was moved across the border into the neighbouring LA. I contacted the 'new' LA to ensure they had mums details but it took until the third call before they would listen. They had no details for her so did create a record and agreed that they would undertake an assessment of needs. This, I was told, could take up to 13 weeks!
With no contact and mums savings falling, contacted the 'new' LA and was told her case was gong to the legal department as she had been 'moved in' from a different LA and they needed to be certain as to who was responsible for the assessment / costs. A few weeks after I was told, by the 'new' LA that they would accept mum, with nothing further heard and funds falling (and the house still not sold) I again contact the LA and they advised they had given me the wrong information and it was for the original LA to deal with, they would, they iodised me, have their legal team talk to the other LA's legals and resolve.
As of today and with nothing more heard from either LA I contacted the original LA (ie where mums house is (it's still on the market) to be told by them it's not their responsibility its for the 'new' LA to carry out the assessment of need and deal with the 12 weeks disregard.
Bottom line is we now have enough funds to cover just two more months of care costs, a mum who is not fit to be in her own house (it has, in any case been largely emptied in the hope we can get a buyer) and two LA's saying that it's 'not them' that should deal with the case. The 'old' LA says that the new Care Act (I assume they refer to the CA2014) means its the responsibility of the LA in which she now lives. In return the 'new' LA, whilst not mentioning the CA2014) have said it's for the original LA to manage.
I fear I will not be the first family member who has encountered this, or indeed be the first family member who feels the 'state' has washed their hands of an elderly member of society.
Any advice on how we can unblock the system and hopefully resolve this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Roger
