Is it common for carers to just not turn up?

[Anjelika]

My DF returned home yesterday after 4 months in hospital/rehab place with a 4 calls a day care package in place. This is currently funded by the council for up to 6 weeks under a re-ablement programme. He has severe mobility issues so relies on carers to get him up in the morning and put him to bed at night.

First full day today and I get a call at midday from him to say no-one has been in to get him up or anything. I had a nightmare trying to contact the care company the council outsource to but in the end someone at the council took charge and said she'd spoken to them and someone did eventually turn up at 12.30 and again at tea time.

Bring on tonight and his neighbour messaged me at 10.30 to say the lights are still on and she can see him still sat in the chair. I am at my wits end. I live an hour away, have 3DC and my DH is working away from home. I hope to God they come tonight or he is going to be spending all night sat in a chair. I had no idea it would be like this. Is this normal?

Hi Mere. No meals on wheels I'm afraid. We were given menus for 2 local places which deliver meals. My dad has Wiltshire Farm Foods meals in his freezer which he used to cook in the oven but now he can't do them and the carers will only microwave. I am going to speak to some private care companies next week - one promises the same carer every time - as this free service really is a case of "you get what you pay for." Also going to visit a Care home literally round the corner from where I live. My dad doesn't want to spend the money but it would be so much better for all of us. Its QCC report looks good unlike some other local ones but will prob mean no beds available. Thanks everyone for your support and advice. It means a lot to me as I don't really know anyone in real life who's going through this!

Anjelika Sorry you're having to cope with this. It makes me realise that despite our grumbles, elderly care services around here are (relatively) good.

Occasionally things will go wrong and a visit will be late if, for example as mentioned above they are waiting with someone for an ambulance. However this should be communicated to you or your Dad and prioritised according to need. On a couple of occasions my mum got a call from a carer saying they were stuck and could mum cope with getting dad up. She was able to manage this as a one off if he was in a cooperative mood but it was mafe clear that if she didn't think she could they would get someone there as soon as possible.

Private arrangements are not always any better. Social services said mum needed a double team which is not easy to get and four visits a day. The morning visit got later and the final visit got earlier so she was in bed from 6pm until half eleven the next morning. Ended up having to go before work last thing at night. Coped for about three months before she had to go into a home where there was 24 hour care

For anyone still following....my dad had a fall Sun night and is currently in hospital. They are trying to send him home despite him being unable to even stand unaided. Earlier on the day he fell we discussed moving him to a care home near me and this is what he now wants. I was hoping then it would be a residential one but I think his lack of mobility will mean a nursing home. It's what to do between now and then that's the question!

Make it clear that he cannot return home in safety. The hospital discharge team is the team that makes things happen; their priority is clearing beds, but they also have performance indicators around early returns to hospital as a result of premature release and this is your bargaining point. Enquire about re-ablement, which can either be at home or in a care home. Understate what you are able to do - remember anything they expect you to do, they'll expect 365 days a year with no sick leave - what you might be able to do for a fortnight is very different from what you can do for 6 months, or if you have flu.

we looked round a care home for my aunty and she was in a few days later. She was not mobile at that time but it’s a care home not nursing. It is so much better having her nearby. Have a look at some near you ASAP and check the reviews and reports.
Say to the hospital that they will be held responsible if he come to any harm if he is sent home before he’s ready.

Reablement is what he was on before - at home - and failed completely. I have repeatedly asked to speak to the OT and have still not heard back. The care home I would like him to go in as it is very nearby and I have visited is residential only and I fear they won't take him. They also won't drive 50 mins to assess him. Just spoken to a nursing gone who will go and assess him but it's very upmarket and twice the price. Going to phone a few more tomorrow.

They should be doing a full assememnt inculding a falls risk before discharging home, if he is unable to mobilse it would be bed care only. And even then it would be looking at what equipment needed. I am appalled at that care companies mentioned on here. The only way you would be given an early night call is if you had an early morning call, in the case of where I work.

Hi Gemini. He had a full assessment before he went home from the convalescence place and they gave him a hospital bed for home, a frame and other bits and pieces. It was all very well done BUT it's the actual care package that has failed him. We were promised 4 visits a day, one of 45 mins and the others 30 mins and the reality was something different altogether. They are trying to push him out of hospital to go home and back to that package but I don't think it's enough. I just don't know how to manage getting him from his local hospital to a care home by me 50 minutes away. Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

Sorry to hear about your dads fall.
Are you getting any support from social services at all?
Independent age are a really helpful charity that can advise on who to go to for support, and which steps to follow. Age UK have lots on their site, but the independent age contact line were fantastic.

DM is in a residential care home and is totally bed bound, unable to stand by herself at all. We were told that unless you require medical attention or nursing care then there was no reason for her to go into a nursing home and the care home have no issue looking after her.

It was being sent home to that care package and it’s subsequent failure that led to her going into the care home in the end. She could have stayed mobile with the right care and help but sadly after the carers not turning up, another fall and stay in hospital she refused to try and walk again and now can’t and never will again. Social services actually told us at the time that they knew the care package would be insufficient for her needs but she had to be seen to fail before she could move to the next level of care. It’s very sad and I wish I could change it.

Can I suggest that if he doesnt need hospital treatment then get him out asap, hospital is a really bad place for him. They wont have time to care for him properly and he will deteriorate or get an infection or fall. You could get him home with private paid for carers visiting or even living in - you will find they are really efficient and helpful - while you do the research to find him a good care home close to you. Or there may be a branch of CareHomeSelection or Find a care home at his hospital, or google to see if there is another company locally.

@Anjelika have you considered contacting Age UK ? They can help with finding care, advise re disability benefits, and care homes. Apologies if you've already gone down this route.

www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/

We used Age UK too for advice. They were really quick to respond and had tonnes of accurate information and excellent local contacts. Thinking of you and your Dad.

Rapid response in our area are terrible. Sadly this is normal. It's my biggest gripe about social care, not that people may have to contribute towards it but that it's not fit for purpose.