Hi everyone,This is a update on my previous post going round in circles well i am still going round! I am still waiting to hear from social services about the respite and sitting services they told me i was entitled to,i phoned yesterday to chase it up and the social worker was very sorry and couldnt under stand what had gone wrong and she would chase it up straight away i am still waiting!On a good note in desperation to keep my hospital appointment last week i phoned my local Red Cross i explained the fact i had no sitter for mum and a lovely lady came straight down to see us and she arranged for someone to sit while i attened hospital.Mum was full of chat to Judy the sitter and really enjoyed it and there was me sitting in the hospital worrying about her! Judy explained to me that they arrange a free service of up to 4 hrs for carers for appointments etc to top up the services which ss should provide,they also arrange equipment loans and would also provide transport for mums hospital appointments if needed.Apart from anything else she really seemed to understand about AD and it was really good to talk to her.Iwould advise people to try thier local red cross it worked for me.
Red Cross fills the gap
- Thread starter storm
- Start date
Dear Storm,
Good for you Storm. Some action at last. Isn't it amazing that all the voluntary services seem to be able to come up trumps even though they are severely understaffed, yet the SS can't manage better than, 'we'll get back to you in a few weeks...'.
Hurray for the Red Cross, Crossroads, Age Concern and all the other voluntary carers.
Jude
Good for you Storm. Some action at last. Isn't it amazing that all the voluntary services seem to be able to come up trumps even though they are severely understaffed, yet the SS can't manage better than, 'we'll get back to you in a few weeks...'.
Hurray for the Red Cross, Crossroads, Age Concern and all the other voluntary carers.
Jude
Absolutely brilliant Storm! I agree with Jude, funny how they can but SS can't so often!! Hope all was well at the hospital? Love, She. XX
Hi Storm
I think we should make it clear that the British Red Cross is the one that lends equipment,operates transport and escort services for essential appointments and respite care in your own home.
telephone:02072355454.
Not to be confused with the Red Cross.
Norman
I think we should make it clear that the British Red Cross is the one that lends equipment,operates transport and escort services for essential appointments and respite care in your own home.
telephone:02072355454.
Not to be confused with the Red Cross.
Norman
Good point Norm, not a lot of people know that. But, it has to be said, they were there when needed as are several other volantary orgs. why can't the ones we pay in for be the same? Love, She. XX
Hi everyone, we have had a visit today from social services at last! After much talk and answering of questions it seems i am being allocated 2hrs on tuesday afternoons to give me a break.Am i being ungratful i really expected more.I do every asspect of personal care for my mum she can be doublely incontinant and i cannot leave her on her own at all because of the AD,she is not able to do anything for herself so this is 24/7 care.I asked about respite care and was told i have to get in touch with yet another department and that if i am entitled to any i will have to wait till next year anyway!Goodness knows what will happen if i have to stay in hospital i will just take mum with me that would shock them.I am waiting for a appointment to go in as a day patient to have a exploratory operation under general anaesthetic i have no idea what we are going to do then the SS didnt seem forth coming with ideas.Oh well never mind feel better now anyway 2hrs is better than nothing isnt it?
Dear Storm,
Well, yes 2 hours is better than nothing, but it does seem a bit meagre. Perhaps if you contact Crossroads and the other voluntary organisations, then you might be able to organise a couple of carers to link their hours together in order to give a decent break each week.
I looked after my parents 24/7 for 11 months straight and I was absolutely shattered afterwards, so I know exactly how you feel Storm. It's too much for one person!
Good luck.
Jude
Well, yes 2 hours is better than nothing, but it does seem a bit meagre. Perhaps if you contact Crossroads and the other voluntary organisations, then you might be able to organise a couple of carers to link their hours together in order to give a decent break each week.
I looked after my parents 24/7 for 11 months straight and I was absolutely shattered afterwards, so I know exactly how you feel Storm. It's too much for one person!
Good luck.
Jude
Dear Storm, it was Mum's specialist who got the ball rolling with SS for us, he organised the request for respite and for day care. (I told him how exhausted I was getting) Mum's social worker helped get us some home care. I don't know if different areas have different ways of doing things, or if it made a difference because Mum was self funding having had to sell her flat due to dementia, but if you were to get the specialist or your GP to add some weight to your request for help, I think SS may be obliged to be more forth coming as they are requesting it. Love, She. XX
