my dad needs help

[glitzy]

he is currently in hospital for the second time, has had a second operation, and is due to be released next week. After the first operation, the wound became infected and has now had to have a second operation to remove more bad flesh, leaving him unable to walk (bottom of foot wound).

He lives alone, and has a nurse who goes over every 2nd day during the week to change the dressing.

I live an hour and a half away, and work full time. Is there anyone who I could get for him to offer him at least full daytime care? (have tried googling full time carers in his area, but all I get is jobs!) Any suggestions for me?

thanks

social services might be able to help.sounds horrible

Thanks...Ive looked on social services website, but looks like they have to do an assessment first, which takes up to 28 days to do, I need something done from Monday really.

Try Googling 'care at home services'.

Talk to social services before discharge.

Respite care in a care home may be worth considering. Be clear with him it would only be for eg. 10 days or 2 wks.

It's all very difficult isn't it?

if he unable to walk, how is he going to wash and feed himself?

I think you need to speak to his nurse in charge and tell them that you are unable to help him. hopefully they will do a 'social sort out', this means he might be entitled to some free home care.

In my area we were allowed 6 weeks paid from the nhs. this might be different due to your local rules.

Please tell the staff there so he can get the help he needs.

lw

Thanks Munsters, will give that a try. Yep, and he is stubborn as well which doesnt help.

Exactly little, and the more he "hobbles" on it the worse it seems to get. Ok will try speak to his nurse tomorrow when I visit at the hospital.

glitzy,
i have very stubbon gran who didn't want help. i know what it is like.

lw

Ring the adult care team of his council social services and ask for an emergency assessment.Explain the circs and advise that he is entirely unable to self care and has been hospitalised again due to being discharged without adequte care.
Also speak to the discharge nurse at the hospital ( phone and make an appointment rather than turn up on spec) and make it clear that you do not consent to his discharge until a care plan is in place.
They will provide up to 6 weeks of care free, and in that time, organise a financial assessment, when he will have to take over the cost of his care if he has assets over £23K ish.

Be firm and consistent and do not accept being fobbed off.

When you talk to his nurse ask if there is an 'intermediate care service or similar'. That's the usual jargon when NHS may pay, as it's cheaper to keep him out of hospital, for short intensive care at home package eg 6 wks as littlewater said.

When I say pay I mean provide people to go in to look after your Dad, not you would choose who & they would pick up tab.

Do I need to consent to his discharge? I know he just wants out, so surely he would overrule?

yes he can self discharge! we all have the right to refuse.
but please tell him that would he would come back into hospital in an even worse state and would have to stay in longer.

it is very hard to stay in hospital.

lw

Taking notes here of things to say..thanks for all your help. His assets are less than £23k, so what would happen if he needed care after 6 weeks?

as far as i know it would be under the social services remit. we had to get my gran reassessed! she went from 3 times a day to once a day, and we had to pay then to.

sorry i don't know much about Social Services. however one step at a time!

lw