Hi everyone..first post on here so treat me gently please...sorry it's a long one!
My MiL (late 70s) has been treated for anxiety issues for 2 years though we have all thought it's more than this for a long time. She fell at home in September, living with her husband, and broke her hip. The hospital were really good with her and treated her to a "Princess bracelet" - the blue band to indicate dementia patients. She went through hell during 2 weeks of recovery as they replaced her hip as all her dementia symptoms were magnified. She was then recommended for respite care for 6 weeks and is still there now.
Her husband (early 80s) has ongoing mental health issues (depression/suicidal thoughts) and was just also recovering from his third cardiac arrest but is now insisting she comes back home and threatened to remove her from the care home over New Year. The care home have applied for a DOLS to ensure her safety and wellbeing continues in their care. Social services have been very good in supporting our thoughts that she needs 24 hour care as the dementia is worsening, plus the fact that their home is no longer suitable for her needs (no central heating, no shower, no hot water, damp etc) Plus he's a hoarder so it's a death trap too. We are expecting a final diagnosis on Thursday, though her medical records are suspecting it to be dementia with Lewy Bodies.
She has had the independent psychiatrist assessment which proves she doesn't have capacity any longer and the Best Interest assessor has advised that he now wants an IMCA (Independent Mental Health Advocate) to be involved due to the family dispute about her future care needs. Unfortunately, FiL's side of the family all think she should go back home as this will help his mental health recover (irrespective of her needs), but we really don't think he can cope with her needs, particularly as she worsens as he is not well enough himself either. This has led to a big dispute between the families (second marriage) and we are now really wary of what will happen now. The argument is developing into a "who is going to win" situation rather than what is best for MiL and her health and wellbing. His main argument being that he doesn't want to pay the care home fees any longer as he doesn't see it as value for money, when he can do exactly the same thing at home. During her time in the care home, he has since spent another 2 months in hospital, in the mental health unit.
Has anyone else been involved with a disputed DOLS? Her social worker is off sick so we are awaiting an emergency social worker to be appointed. We have the LPA registered but still waiting for the documents to arrive.
Thanks for listening.
My MiL (late 70s) has been treated for anxiety issues for 2 years though we have all thought it's more than this for a long time. She fell at home in September, living with her husband, and broke her hip. The hospital were really good with her and treated her to a "Princess bracelet" - the blue band to indicate dementia patients. She went through hell during 2 weeks of recovery as they replaced her hip as all her dementia symptoms were magnified. She was then recommended for respite care for 6 weeks and is still there now.
Her husband (early 80s) has ongoing mental health issues (depression/suicidal thoughts) and was just also recovering from his third cardiac arrest but is now insisting she comes back home and threatened to remove her from the care home over New Year. The care home have applied for a DOLS to ensure her safety and wellbeing continues in their care. Social services have been very good in supporting our thoughts that she needs 24 hour care as the dementia is worsening, plus the fact that their home is no longer suitable for her needs (no central heating, no shower, no hot water, damp etc) Plus he's a hoarder so it's a death trap too. We are expecting a final diagnosis on Thursday, though her medical records are suspecting it to be dementia with Lewy Bodies.
She has had the independent psychiatrist assessment which proves she doesn't have capacity any longer and the Best Interest assessor has advised that he now wants an IMCA (Independent Mental Health Advocate) to be involved due to the family dispute about her future care needs. Unfortunately, FiL's side of the family all think she should go back home as this will help his mental health recover (irrespective of her needs), but we really don't think he can cope with her needs, particularly as she worsens as he is not well enough himself either. This has led to a big dispute between the families (second marriage) and we are now really wary of what will happen now. The argument is developing into a "who is going to win" situation rather than what is best for MiL and her health and wellbing. His main argument being that he doesn't want to pay the care home fees any longer as he doesn't see it as value for money, when he can do exactly the same thing at home. During her time in the care home, he has since spent another 2 months in hospital, in the mental health unit.
Has anyone else been involved with a disputed DOLS? Her social worker is off sick so we are awaiting an emergency social worker to be appointed. We have the LPA registered but still waiting for the documents to arrive.
Thanks for listening.