Any advice on care arrangements after hospital discharge?

[timidviper]

My neighbour has cared for her husband for many years, she is 70, he is a bit older. He has been unable to walk or stand for years and now his arms have failed so he is unable to manoeuvre himself at all. She has been struggling to manage recently as his disability increases.

He is currently in hospital and she has told him and the staff that she is struggling and suggested they look at homes or other care arrangements, he is refusing everything and doesn't seem to realise how difficult it is for her. She was told today the hospital plan to discharge him to home on Tuesday, nothing has been discussed with her and she has not been consulted about any requirements for his care.

Does anyone know if there should be any consultation or assessment before he can be discharged? No-one has been in touch with her about equipment that might be needed, care arrangements, etc and she is worried sick about how to manage.

Any guidance or experience would be appreciated

They should be visited by the hospital social worker to arrange some sort of discharge plan. The ward should arrange this for them, as they will be penalised for a failed hospital discharge if the husband ends up being readmitted within a short period of time. Social services should visit the husband on the ward and speak to the staff, and also speak to the wife and discuss her options, and get the ball rolling on any arrangements for his discharge. In theory, he shouldn't be discharged then until social services say that the care/support is in place. It does get tricky, however, if the husband is deemed to have the mental capacity to decide where he wants to be and if he wants to accept care.

I think it wouldn't be unreasonable for you to make contact with your local social services on her behalf and explain the situation and they can take it from there. Certainly it sounds like she is desperate need of help but no one can force the husband to accept it!

And you are a wonderful neighbour for being concerned and wanting to help out. So often, neighbours turn a blind eye.

The hospital have a duty of care to ensure that he will have proper care at home. They should have a team (react team) who will organise interim care. This used to be free for so many weeks - still might be but my experience is a few years old. This then gives social services a chance to assess/organise on going care. Thing is, if she lets them think she is able/willing to do the care they may just send him home.

As well as assessing him for what care he needs; your neighbour is entitled to a carers assessment which will look at her needs (such as regular respite breaks etc).

She should be able to get information from Age UK or her local CAB or Carers Centre

Thank you both. I will pass this on to her

If she cant if she is unable to cope with hos needs without extra support any longer then she tells the staff that she is not willing to accept him home.

She must do this if this is the case or chances are he will end up back home with nothing changed. She must do it as soon as. Once he is deemed medically fit he will be discharged.

If they say it is his choice she tells them he does not understand.

Sorry to be so blunt.. but its really shit at present and it is not a given that a social work assessment will take place unless it is asked for Ive seen it too many times. They fail within a week get sent back to a and e and are then bounced iut again. Dont let your neighbour rely on what should happen. She needs to make sure it is happening.

Bounced out. And apologies for other typos. Battery on phone about to die.