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Elderly parents
Original poster

Mum in care home temporarily

81 replies

Metoo15 · 06/01/2024 07:16

Hi. Mum had a long stay in hospital after becoming confused and feeling ill. She’s 92 and has been in the care home 4 weeks. The social worker is going to see her next week to decide if she needs to stay,or if she could be moved to extra care housing, or go home.
Mum is so much better is putting on weight and walking much better. I’m afraid the SW is going to send her home, but the main problems are still there, she has postural drop which has
ended up in 3 very bad falls, she’s slightly confused and has occasional hallucinations. Apparently the LA can’t afford to put every one in a care home because of these problems and she’ll be looking for a cheaper solution !
I’m so worried. She wouldn’t be able to manage at home she had carers 4 times a day before her hospital stay. How can I navigate the meeting with the sw. I haven’t got POA so apparently it is her decision whether she stays or not.

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LindorDoubleChoc · 06/01/2024 07:30

If she owns her own home it can be sold to pay for the care home fees. At 92 and with her other problems I really do think she would be better off being properly looked after in care.

hatgirl · 06/01/2024 07:30

TheShellBeach · 06/01/2024 07:21

You can flag it as an unsafe discharge.

OPs mum has already been discharged to a care home.

This is how Discharge to Assess works - the hospital discharge to a care home and the NHS pays for it for 4-6 weeks.

During this 4-6 weeks Adult Social Care are supposed to complete all their assessments and help families make the longer term decisions about if a care home remains the right place or if other less restrictive options such as home or extra care housing would be more appropriate.

A financial assessment is also completed and if the person is able to pay for their care themselves they are free to choose whichever option they want. If the state is paying or contributing then the state gets to make the decision about how public money is best spent.

That doesn't mean that people who need residential care are denied it but it may mean they are provided it in the cheapest option available to the council at the time.

tokesqueen · 06/01/2024 07:24

Tell the SW you will be stepping back and withdrawing any previous input and support which was no doubt propping up the situation. Think long term. No shopping, no cleaning, no running errands, no visits.
And don't falter.

hatgirl · 06/01/2024 07:24

Apparently the LA can’t afford to put every one in a care home because of these problems and she’ll be looking for a cheaper solution

Who said that to you?

If she meets the criteria for residential care then she meets the criteria.

Does 'home' belong to her or is she a tenant?

The care home staff will advise what her night time needs are and if she is at high risk of falls. These are the things that often make the difference between needing a care home and not.

It isn't the social workers decision if your mum has capacity to decide what she wants to happen and the funds to pay for care herself.

TheShellBeach · 06/01/2024 07:21

You can flag it as an unsafe discharge.

DustyLee123 · 06/01/2024 07:19

If she’s fit to go home, is she fit to sign POA?