I know, I really do, the illusion of care ... sometimes not even that. It is hard to get your head around especially for those of us who have known better times. The last time I had call to use LA social care was that they GAVE us three weeks of a maternity nurse/carer after my son was born because I had no family who could help ... Can you imagine that level of care??? Ididn't even have to ask, it was arranged through the hospital- 45 years ago.When I knew that I had to go into hospital, I thought that social services would guide me towards the care that my husband needed while I recover.
So I made a referral, explaining that we would be self funding.
No one got back to me.
I began to worry and spoke to the GP who suggested I googled local care homes, which I did. The GP also got his manager to chase it up. Still no one contacted me.
I sourced a local care home myself and my mind was at rest.
So, just had a phone call from social services. I said I’d sorted it, but what would have happened if I hadn’t. She said they would have tried to find a place but it could be anywhere in the county, whatever they could find, it seems places are difficult to source, there was no guarantee what, if, where, and we would still have to pay.
I am such a novice to all this, but I guess I’m learning.
I’m disappointed with the social care system.
I thought there would be someone to care about these two 73 year olds, one with dementia the other with pain and physical difficulties.
I now realise we are on our own.
The state just doesn’t care.
They care even less if you have worked and saved all your life.
It’s like they have washed their hands of us and don’t care if we are alive or dead!
Thank goodness I can get these things off my chest with my TP friends.
B xx
Iknow about the self funders too. The reason we have any savings at all is that I was too busy being a carer for my mother to ever have holidays!!!
I'm a novice to this current situation too. I feel the Government wishes we weren't around at all ... BUT on TP we can care for each other, sweetheart, and we do. all my love, Geraldine. xx