Care at home- sheltered housing

[Orangesandlemons77]

My dad (late 70s, dementia and heart failure) is in sheltered housing in Scotland. I'm in south England, but my brother lives nearby.

Dad had a social services referral and now has carers in 3 times a day and a cleaner twice a week which is paid for by his attendance allowance.

His mobility is not very good and he has urinary incontinence but refusing to wear the pants, so is needing a lot of washing.

the carers don't seem to do much caring, just give him his meds and sign a book? there is a sign up to remind them to "Offer a Meal" however.

My brother and family are doing quite a bit, for example sorting stuff out and we have been waiting to hear if he is offered a care home place, but have heard it will be a long wait.

Does anyone know what might happen as he needs more care in the meantime? Thanks

How long is each carers visit, sometimes by the time meds have been given and the person has been given a quick snack or one other “task” very little time to do anything else?

I see, I'm not sure. Thanks. I wonder if needed they could use some of the attendance allowance to pay someone to stay a bit longer and e.g do some washing for example.

I think that’s the first thing to find out and will determine what can realistically be achieved. What specifically are you hoping they will do?

I guess since there is no care home space for a while he will need more of a support from social services at home? Maybe one of the cleaners could help with e.g. laundry or washing dishes and the carers with caring?

What tends to happen with people like Dad, who has also long term mental health problems and on pension credit in council sheltered housing?

There was also the option of 'more sheltered' sheltered accommodation, nor sure what has happened with that. Maybe the warden will know.

Hi sorry meant to reply, message above. A plan in place for it worsening I suppose.

I also wondered about a referral to palliative care, they have told me that would be via the GP.

What does the care plan say? What are the carers meant to do when they go in?

I'm not sure need to speak to my brother and see.

How long are the visits ?
I'm a carer and in a 45 min visits typical visit I would except to help someone to the toilet (wash and freshen up and put on a fresh pad) make them a drink and a sandwich or microwave meal, wash and dry up and have a chat. Maybe put a load of washing on so the next carer can hang it up.
I would find out exactly how long the visits and then speak to the care agency about what is on the care plan. In my experience care agencies can vary a lot.
If he's only got 15min pop in visits (I'm not sure many agencies offer them now as they are far to short) it will literally be to check he's ok and prompt tablets maybe.

Hi

I left work over ten years ago - spent many years in soc service various depts
I am now just over 60

There is a criteria for care homes and sheltered property. If moving to shelter type place run by the council and some HA's you had to have a certain amount of ability to get in

Just as i left work, i forget what they were called but these new homes run like hotels were those in between care home and shelter home

Contact the coucil for more info on council and private services and criteria itc

I have a feeling they are shorter but the longer ones sound better. Thanks

Thanks

Hi attendance allowance will only be about £108 a week at the higher rate - so he/someone must be paying for some of it?

Do you mean the home care? That's free in Scotland, it pays for the cleaners though.

Sorry- didnt know that.
I read it as all one thing- and now has carers in 3 times a day and a cleaner twice a week which is paid for by his attendance allowance.

Hi I'm in Scotland too and have arranged care for my Mum in her home. When her needs increase I go back to the
Council social worker and explain what more is needed. She then liaises with the care
Company (or can move to another with extra capacity) to put that in place. I believe up to 4 visits a day can be authorised. Times of the visits can vary depending on what needs done (we have 30 min visits usually but 45 when it's to include showering). So first call would be to your Dad'a social worker (and don't worry if he was discharged- they can open up the case again). Hope that helps.

As far as I know, he gets housing benefit to cover the rent, pension credit and the attendance allowance.

OK thanks, I will speak to my brother and mention it. If they don't have any care home places hopefully they can increase the visits / time of visits.

I remember that about them then getting the care company and in the past they didn't have enough carers so had to wait, that can be a problem also.