IHi
I am a new member to this Forum. My mum was diagnosed with Azheimers back in 2005 and is now fairly advanced although she is still able to be cared for safely in her own home a short drive from where I live. A care agency do the three "meal-time" calls each day, getting her up, washed toiletted etc and I supplement this care with an afternoon social call and a "put her to bed" call which either I do or I am lucky to have 2 ladies that help me to share the load. She seems happy - she laughs every day - my rather unscientific measure of her wellbeing. She is not prone to falling and can still transition from chair to anywhere downstairs - with prompting. So I believe her home is still the best place for her. And it was always her wish she should stay and die there - so I am trying to be true to that!
The care company have been good and we generally have regulars who know her - though as with any care company there are occasional hiccoughs when they are stuck and send someone new in - rarely successfully. They pay a bit more to their carers - a massive £10 per hour not including travel!!!, but still above the average rate which is so desperately low. There is no escaping the fact though that the rate paid does affect the care quality - even though I have met many heroic carers who do it for almost nothing, these little miracles are the exception in terms of being able to deal with the complexities dementia presents. Mum's care is arranged through the LA Social Services at the moment and she has been self-funding for 10 years - though that has taken a big toll on her finances which are now below the £23k threshold.
I have just been alarmed to learn that the care company have given the Local Authority mum is in, notice that they are going to withdraw from this authority because the rates in this LA are much lower than the rates paid by the surrounding LAs where they also work - it is just not profitable for them. Mum has been with them for 3 years now and a change like this will be massively disruptive - especially now. Introducing a new team and getting them used to mum's needs and managing her successfully takes time, skill, professionalism and the right attitude and sadly my previous experience with other companies tells me these are in short supply! The last transition of care we had to do was a disaster until I fought for change and found this company with some individuals help! And if the LA are chasing the price to the bottom, as they seem to be, I feel I'm unlikely to get the right care from their provision.
It looks as though my best bet is to get her care needs re-assessed. To get a financial assessment. And then to ask to go Direct Funding. I have been putting this off thus far for 2 reasons - 1) while it was all working I didn't want to upset the apple cart and 2) I was loathe to take on the burdens of becoming an employer - tax, NI, setting up a pension scheme!! Do we really have to do all that just to care for our parents? I am also concerned that by re-engaging with Social Services again they will try to take control and dictate the care my mum receives.
Has anyone had similar experiences? Are my worries justified or am I just being paranoid (it can happen ). Have people any advice about the Direct Payments / employing care companies / carers directly option?? Thanks for any help / advice.
I have to say - I think the Post Code lottery applying here is an appalling state of affairs and has nothing to do with the wellbeing of the cared for. Surely there needs to be some standards introduced to avoid this scenario? I thought the new Act was supposed to help? Seemingly not!
Thanks
I am a new member to this Forum. My mum was diagnosed with Azheimers back in 2005 and is now fairly advanced although she is still able to be cared for safely in her own home a short drive from where I live. A care agency do the three "meal-time" calls each day, getting her up, washed toiletted etc and I supplement this care with an afternoon social call and a "put her to bed" call which either I do or I am lucky to have 2 ladies that help me to share the load. She seems happy - she laughs every day - my rather unscientific measure of her wellbeing. She is not prone to falling and can still transition from chair to anywhere downstairs - with prompting. So I believe her home is still the best place for her. And it was always her wish she should stay and die there - so I am trying to be true to that!
The care company have been good and we generally have regulars who know her - though as with any care company there are occasional hiccoughs when they are stuck and send someone new in - rarely successfully. They pay a bit more to their carers - a massive £10 per hour not including travel!!!, but still above the average rate which is so desperately low. There is no escaping the fact though that the rate paid does affect the care quality - even though I have met many heroic carers who do it for almost nothing, these little miracles are the exception in terms of being able to deal with the complexities dementia presents. Mum's care is arranged through the LA Social Services at the moment and she has been self-funding for 10 years - though that has taken a big toll on her finances which are now below the £23k threshold.
I have just been alarmed to learn that the care company have given the Local Authority mum is in, notice that they are going to withdraw from this authority because the rates in this LA are much lower than the rates paid by the surrounding LAs where they also work - it is just not profitable for them. Mum has been with them for 3 years now and a change like this will be massively disruptive - especially now. Introducing a new team and getting them used to mum's needs and managing her successfully takes time, skill, professionalism and the right attitude and sadly my previous experience with other companies tells me these are in short supply! The last transition of care we had to do was a disaster until I fought for change and found this company with some individuals help! And if the LA are chasing the price to the bottom, as they seem to be, I feel I'm unlikely to get the right care from their provision.
It looks as though my best bet is to get her care needs re-assessed. To get a financial assessment. And then to ask to go Direct Funding. I have been putting this off thus far for 2 reasons - 1) while it was all working I didn't want to upset the apple cart and 2) I was loathe to take on the burdens of becoming an employer - tax, NI, setting up a pension scheme!! Do we really have to do all that just to care for our parents? I am also concerned that by re-engaging with Social Services again they will try to take control and dictate the care my mum receives.
Has anyone had similar experiences? Are my worries justified or am I just being paranoid (it can happen ). Have people any advice about the Direct Payments / employing care companies / carers directly option?? Thanks for any help / advice.
I have to say - I think the Post Code lottery applying here is an appalling state of affairs and has nothing to do with the wellbeing of the cared for. Surely there needs to be some standards introduced to avoid this scenario? I thought the new Act was supposed to help? Seemingly not!
Thanks
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