A rather delayed update on my Dad, due partly to the fact that things started to move rather quickly (wonders will never cease!) and then I ran away to Greece for a week.
We had a long meeting with the SW, who is a very young, sweet girl with all the best of intentions and about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. Fortunately she had a much more senior SW with her. I walked in armed with a file 12" thick with all the relevant legislation, and they counter-attacked with a few flimsy leaflets in their arsenal. I was polite but forceful and the upshot was that my Dad had an induction at the Day Centre 4 days later.
The staff at the Day Centre were fabulous. The carer who we talked to was lovely, engaged my Dad who was at his most charming. The SW arrived (late of course) and asked my Dad if he remembered her. 'NO' he said pointedly and turned away.
My Dad started at the Day Centre 2 days later and we will see how it goes.
On Friday we had a home visit from the Consultant, chocolate fireguard, and a CPN. I wasn't there, as I was in Greece, but my sister was, and the upshot was that the Consultant agreed that in all probability my Dad had suffered another stroke as he has gone downhill quite dramatically in the last few weeks. He is having difficulty in getting dressed and with personal care, cleaning teeth etc.
The CPN was the complete opposite of the SW, more of a nightclub bouncer, but clearly with more life experience. He has some spare capacity and will visit my Mum and Dad over the next few weeks to try and help.
Respite is now looking more likely, with all the problems that brings...
It was very hard for me being out of the country and I felt much better when I was able to speak to my Dad by telephone on the Friday night. I really feel for people who are not able to be geographically close to their loved ones.
So all in all we have shaken things up, but how much they can actually do for my Dad remains to be seen....