Talk, talk talk
Cynthia, yes you spotted me. I'm still a sucker for any changes there might be when it comes to care for the elderly. But like Cliff said it's just talk.
After 12years of caring for my wife seven of which she's been doubly incontinent I find very little good to say about the system.
The best thing I ever did was to remove her from a NH more than four and a half years ago. Now I find because I chose to care alone, it's as though we don't exist.
Last month around our 52nd wedding ann., I had a bad bout of flu. I'd just washed and was dressing her, when she was sick on the bed. Thought I'd phone the department who use to deal with her four years ago when she was at death's door. They'd never heard of us! Seeking advice about feeding her and as to what would happen if I was too ill or hurt? After explaining that Jean is stiff, can't move or speak, the nurse asked if she is in pain, and to ask her where the pain is! As for my problem should I become too ill to care, I'm advised to plone Carers Support who would send someone to sit with Jean while I made my way to the GP. The picture of me with a broken leg hopping along the road to the GP gave me a laugh. In the end I phoned NHS Direct more questions. Answers:
No I don't know who our GP is.
No haven't seen doctor nurse or anyone else since Feb when she was rushed to A&E.
No we haven't had a check-up in two years.
No, no flu jab, but me may get lucky.
Yes we're over 65, I'm 76 and she's 73.
I was promised they would get in touch with the community Nurse and explain that it was in everyones interest that I be given a regular check-up and we receive a flu jab. The person was good enough to phone back and let me know he'd passed on the information. That was two weeks ago, I'm not surprised I expect nothing. We're both doing fine and the longer I'm a carer (or is that what I am?) the greater the pleasure it gives me. Faults hopes I can do without.
Wish I could help some of you folk out there, all I can do I wish you well. Padraig