My mum (76)was knocked down by a bus. No broken bones but she suffered sub-arachnoid bleeding. Three days unconcious and 11 weeks in hospital, toward the latter end of her stay she was awaiting a "care package" to be put together prior to her release. Then after making staff aware that mum's progress was deteriorating as a result of lack of interaction with therapists (they had done all they needed to..", they finally agreed to let mum return home. A month after her discharge, the care plan still wasn't in place and now, SIX weeks later the plan has come into effect but adds to daily frustrations rather than alleviates them. In ten days we have seen about 8 different carers...so a trust or bonding cannot form. In the original "assessment" for care, we were given a 7.30 to 8.30 "window" for the carer to turn up, yet we've seldom had anyone turn up before 9am and some as late as 10.40....this adds to mum's confused state. As a result of her injuries, mum's memory took a knock and placed her back almost 30 years. We had to deal with her realisation of her mothers death. Her First remark was..."you knew and you didn't tell me.." The accident has worsened her diabetes, taken her from diet controlled, to tablet medication. Six weeks since her release now, and mum still hasn't had a blood sugar monitoring appointment. It was supposed to be today yet with an hour to go before her appointment the doctors rung up to cancel...I explained that mum was becoming more confused and I thought her sugar/insulin levels may be causing this. The last four nights now mum has slept for minutes instead of hours...being her chief carer I have slept even less, becoming more anxious and worried at her breathlessness and lack of sleep. It seems she is getting more and more confused, could this be dementia or altzheimers? and where oh where is the help I need to confirm or deny my fears....when am I supposed to get MY share of sleep? I am becoming weaker myself and more distressed over mum's worsening conditions. Any advice will help and hopefully shed light on what I can or cant ask for...I know there are organisations that help, but the current lack of professionalism by the appointed care agency doesn't offer much hope. I feel imprisoned in my own home, I can't get a job to pay the mouting bills, neither it seems can I trust anyone else to actually CARE for my mother...what can I do?
2007-09-19 03:45:59 · 5 answers · asked by ~☆ Petit ♥ Chou ☆~ 7 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Sorry to hear about your predicament!
Give Age Concern a ring and see what they recommend. They might be able to point you in the right direction about who to talk to.
Your mother should have a Care Manager (a social worker) who's dealing with her case.
Care for the elderly in the UK is notoriously bad, so you might have to fight your corner, but don't lose hope - these people just need a kick up the @ss!
2007-09-19 04:00:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm awefully sorry about your plight. I for one dont have an answer but advocate finding a point of contact that's empathetic and reliable ?GP and persevering. As a junior doctor and GP trainee (have worked in geriatrics) I have to outline the plight of the medical profession in this day and age when hospitals are conveyor belts and resources scarse. The resources are stretched....the public hears these words and blanks them out, sadly the likes of yourself feel the pain. I sincerely hope that you find the stability and level of care your mother needs.....rest assured many discussions take place by doctors behind closed doors which in vain to this day fight for the plight of those who need help......the goverment only hears the wispers of the few financiers and majority voters. Good luck....god be with you.
2007-09-19 06:36:07 · answer #2 · answered by Pez 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here are a few links.
Try and talk with the people who have provided you mothers care - are they community or hospital based - ring the number they provide you and ask if you could speak with someone about these concerns and queries, they are there to help so ask, don't sit in silence.
I know my second link is a specific trust however it may give you an idea how to put forward your concerns.
2007-09-19 04:02:38 · answer #3 · answered by Stacey-Marie J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3 day week, strikes on the drop of a hat. Mountains of rubbish interior the streets earlier she got here to skill? Maggie did no longer smash the rustic, New Labour carried on the place she left off yet weren't in any respect on top of issues.
2016-11-05 21:57:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am so sory to hear of your plight,i am afraid after care is very poor in the uk these days it is a postcode lottery i am afraid,and they seem to want you to put your loved ones in care,i went through the same thing 7years ago when my mum was struck down with a brain tumor,the mc millan nurse never did visit , i have learnt you have to be a nuisance to get heard so pester as much as you can,also you can get a carers allowance for looking after your mum,good luck
2007-09-19 04:03:45 · answer #5 · answered by dumplingmuffin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋