Letter from the NHS yet??

[Notverygrownup]

Has anyone's elderly parents received the letter? Does it ask you to do anything?

Dad is 89, has severe dementia and a lovely live in carer who is looking after him, but I normally deliver their shopping each week. I managed to get one on-line delivery but cannot get anything else. Neighbours are helping out a bit, but I could really do with a priority spot. He doesn't have any of the conditions which qualify him as extremely vulnerable - dementia as ever is not on the list.

Carer is willing to open the post to see if a letter arrives, but just wondered what it says if you get one.

Thank you

Hi OP, that's worrying and difficult - although I just wanted to give you the heads up about letters and delivery spots. I received my Text from the NHS last Monday and a letter 3 days later.

I went on line to register for delivery slot following the link provided on the letter. Yet a week later , despite the supermarkets saying they are making slots available to those 'extremely vulnerable' - this is not happening. (For many) .. I called Sainsbury's and they explained that they haven't actually received access to the database yet.

Hang in there. The letter may still be on its way - and as of yet not many of us have got these magic spots.

DM received the letter saying she must shield, she has severe COPD and other health issues.

I haven't managed to get her a priority slot for delivery, just a government food box (which is crap).

I don't think someone with dementia would be asked to shield.

Have you tried asking community groups if they can deliver shopping ?

O ado haven't received the list either. Tesco release slots at midnight & I managed to get one for 3 weeks time. Only 80 items, which I understand but when you are feeding 5 people 3 times a day & shielding...
OP, I would try (!) To contact the supermarkets directly. You father may not be on the shielding list anyway, unless he has other underlying conditions, I'm not sure.

I have just found this online for over 70s.. for Sainsbury's. Give them a call !

If you are over 70 years of age, or you are extremely vulnerable and live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can get access to priority home delivery slots by calling us at* 0800 953 498888_.

Thanks all. Yes, called Sainsburys, Patchwork, gave them our last delivery order number and the nectar card number - they refuse to take the call without both. They texted back two days later to say that they cannot find him in their records of his deliveries, and so will not register him!

Thank goodness for the neighbours, and online banking! He will survive, partly thanks to his MN brexit tins, which are still in tact, and I guess I can always phone his local church if the neighbours go into self isolation.

Good luck to everyone caring for vulnerable relatives.

Has anyone's elderly parents received the letter? Does it ask you to do anything? Parent hasn't had it - DH has.

In summary it says:

Say at home and avoid all face-to-face contact for 12 weeks.

If you do not have contacts who can help you, go to www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable.

If you have symptoms dial 111.

Then 2 pages on keeping isolated including within the home. Advice on staying sane.List of conditions considered very high risk.

The supermarkets in theory should be getting access to the government database. It's unclear whether this is the database used to generate the letters, or whether it is the one at www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable - it's this second one which gives you access to government food parcels if you have no-one who can go to the shops for you.

Check your local shops - many are now delivering, as are traders from the closed farmers markets. I can get deliveries of cheese (also does butter); meat from at least two sources; fresh fruit and veg; a bread box, and from the same source, a baking box; and meat and veg pies.

You can register for food parcel on the gov website.

Sorry OP if I've misunderstood but you can still deliver shopping to them every week. Leave it on the doorstep. It comes under helping a vulnerable person

Thank you folks. Koala's, I'm 100+ miles away, so unlikely to be allowed to travel, though would try if he were completely out of food. (I usually visit weekly then deliver the shopping.) Mitzdob thank you. Will check out registering for food parcels, again, but visited before and dementia doesn't qualify you as extremely vulnerable.

However, good news!! Have had another text from Sainsburys to say that they have now found/accepted his details and will be in touch soon to allow us to book a delivery!

He won't need a lot at all, so fingers crossed for a delivery slot once a fortnight, just to keep him stocked with foods that he recogises!

Thank you lovely MNetters. Wishing you all well looking after your elderly parents, in these challenging times.

We have had a letter here explaining he needs to shield, it also advised packing a hospital bag which I’ve done as I understand I wouldn’t be able to take him anything in if he gets admitted for any reason.
I’m still having to go and visit to take him food and the carers are there too. I can’t leave it on the doorstep as he couldn’t put it in fridge etc.
I’m really worried about him getting it as he’s coming into contact with carers who in turn are coming into contact with lots of people.

Clairea, I'm sorry that you are having to deal with this too. Worrying times.

The carers are, on the whole, being brilliant at washing hands and being as careful as they can, but it is sadly true that the most vulnerable in society are also very vulnerable to CV too.

On the bright side, we are nearly two weeks into lockdown and they are still OK. I feel lucky that Dad is a peaceful soul, sleeps a lot and is totally unaware of all that is going on. Mum who also had severe dementia was a very different character, and I can't begin to imagine how she would have coped . . . but then I guess that we coped with so much over the last few years, we would have muddled through as best we could. It's all that you can do with this awful disease. Keep on keeping on. You can only do your best.