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Original poster

Can you get Social Services for adults?

46 replies

Tigerbomb · 23/04/2011 21:52

I am hoping someone can help with some advice, I am not sure it should be in this section but as the problem stems from health problems, I am hoping it's ok.

My exh was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes two years ago at the age of 44 and it is still very much uncontrolled. He also suffer from severe arthritis in his knees and receives the higher DLA.

He has gone from being a 6ft1, 15 stone man to a 6ft 1, 7 stone man in just over a year. I have never seen anyone so thin. You can see all his bones and his legs cannot support him.

He lives in a ground floor flat with some adaptions

I went to visit him today and his living conditions are disgusting

He was lying in a bed in his own mess as he had been unable to get to the toilet and was still unable to get out of bed. He admitted to regularly suffering from chronic diarrhea.

His sofa was in the same condition.

I managed to clean him up but his mattress is completely ruined as is his sofa, and he was adamant he was going to sleep on the floor. He wouldn't let me call an ambulance and he can't get to a doctor and wont have the doctor called because of the state of the house

I couldn't move his mattress nor his sofa so he is there in the house with all that filth.

He has no family and to be honest he has no friends, how can I help him? I have no experience of anything like this, I don't know what to do.

Is there a Social Services for adults who can help him? It's also Easter weekend, would there be anyone who I can contact?

OP posts:

Sunshinenow · 23/04/2011 23:11

sorry typo, I would have him in tonight.

Please consider it - or ring someone for advise. You needn't go. But I think he should be in hospital getting stabilised.

Icoulddoitbetter · 23/04/2011 23:14

Another one saying that he needs to go to hospital - call the paramedics and if he refuses to go with them when they arrive they can make the decision about whether he's actually capable to make that decision (which he may not be if his cognition is imapaired by his illness) and go from there. I'm a community OT and it would not be unsual for my team to get referral for someone who is in the same state that he is in at the moment. We'd call the paramedics or at very least get a GP home visit immediately once we'd arrived and seen the reality of the situation.

You can be a vulneralbe adult because of your medical status, not just because of abuse, so the medics that treat him may raise an alert which means he will get a high level of input on discharge to ensure his condion remains stable.

The community matrons are also another useful service to call. They work with people in the community with complex medical and often social needs to ensure that the care they need is correctly coordinated (that's their role in my area, anyway).

Good luck, he is very very lucky to have you.

Original poster

Tigerbomb · 24/04/2011 00:13

I have just got off the phone from talking to him and he sounds more lucid. He says that he has tested his sugar level and it is high again and he will have his injection

He says that he woke up over an hour ago and had soiled himself again and has agreed that when I go over tomorrow first thing we will assess how he is and call the ambulance or OOH Dr as I see fit.

However I find him tomorrow, I will get him to the hospital, either under our own steam or via an ambulance if necessary. Just because he may be lucid when I see him, doesn't mean that he will stay that way if today is anything to go by.

Whatever happens he can't stay at home for the moment, its not in a fit state

Thank you for all your help and advice, I now know which way to move forward and feel knowledgable enough to deal with whatever excuse my exh throws at me.

My DH is not very happy with me as this is stressing me out, which makes my heart condition worse, but he has also agreed to help in any way he can

You are all wonderful
x

OP posts:

Bohica · 24/04/2011 00:17

Oh I am glad you have plans in place. Your DH is being as supportive as he can in this situation... at least you have us

Sunshinenow · 24/04/2011 00:20

Good luck, that sounds like a plan.

If you need any help or even to worry off line, please come back.

You are doing your best - and for what it's worth get him into hospital tomorrow.

It doesn't sound like a life or death emergency -- but he certainly needs sorting out and stabilising. A time in hospital will get him sorted.

This also might be the trigger to get him some support.

Take care tonight.

blinks · 24/04/2011 00:23

with diabetes type 1, really you shouldn't wait. he needs to be seen now.

seriously, NOW.

he needs urgent assessment tonight so a GP would be the best first course of action and they can arrange a non core admission to hospital. you can organise this now via NHS24 or NHS Direct depending on where you live.

imo social services aren't appropriate until his medical condition is under control.

blinks · 24/04/2011 00:24

it absolutely is life or death potentially, i can't stress that enough.

Sunshinenow · 24/04/2011 00:34

Tigerbomb - did your exh say what his blood sugar level actually was?

I agree with blinks that the priority is medical attention - but perhaps he should go in tonight.

He DEFINITELY need to be assessed and to go to hospital no later than the morning.

Could you ring him- get his blood sugar level then ring OOH or NHS direct to see if they say tonight or if it can wait until the morning.

Definitely no later then the morning - but maybe check if he should be seen tonight - eh just to be on the safe side.

If it was me I would have him in tonight - but obviously I'm not there and don't know the full information.

Sunshinenow · 24/04/2011 00:34

sorry priority is medical attention before social services.

Celibin · 24/04/2011 11:33

I agree with others here Medical attention needed Now! Hospital can so easily refer him onto SS once stabilsed . I thought DLA money was for help in the house e.g to pay for someone to come in and see he is eating etc and keep place clean . but I could be mistaken

topsi · 24/04/2011 11:59

TBH I would phone for an ambulance today. They can admit him and stabalise his blood sugars and make sure he is clean and warm and fed. He is in a vunerable condition. Hospitals don't close for Easter you know! there is no real reason to wait untill tomorrow, his condition could deteriorate. Once admitted it is the hospitals resopnsibility to refer to SS and not to discharge him untill arrangements have been made for him at home.
I am a nurse BTW and used to see people being admitted all the time for similar problems when I worked in medicine.
All this is very stressful for you as well and I think for your sake as well as his it is time for the professionals to do their bit.

topsi · 24/04/2011 12:02

PS sometimes dialing 999 is the only way to get the attention you need when you need it in a situation like this. Waiting for assessments etc could take weeks and you need help now!!

Original poster

Tigerbomb · 24/04/2011 16:46

He is now in hospital. I called an ambulance this morning after finding him in a similar state as yesterday. I didn't give him time to argue and he wasn't really in a fit state to argue.

The ambulance crew were wonderful and although I couldn't go with him to the hospital, I have telephoned and they have told me that he has been admitted and is comfortable

I shall visit him tomorrow and take it all from there and start seeing what care we can get him and finding a way for him to live a normal life

Thank you for all your help, there's a very good chance that I would have just sat at home and mythered about his situation rather than take any positive action as I didn't know how serious diabetes was or what my next step should be.

I really think you are all wonderful

OP posts:

topsi · 24/04/2011 16:55

Oh good new Tiger!
Glad to hear he is in good hands and you can relax yourself a bit now knowing he is comfortable.

topsi · 24/04/2011 16:55

news

blinks · 24/04/2011 18:28

oh that's good, i was really worried when i read your posts last night.

Sunshinenow · 24/04/2011 19:11

Oh so glad to hear this. I was thinking about you today,

he'll be treated in hospital - and have a much better chance of services in place when he leaves.

i think you did the right thing.

Take care yourself.

Bohica · 24/04/2011 19:31

Really pleased to read your update Tiger

Selks · 24/04/2011 19:53

Well done for getting him into hospital.

What I suggest you do now is get very clear in your own mind about exactly how involved or not you want to be with his future care. While he is in hospital he should be seen by the hospital social work team for a community care assessment. You can enquire if this is happening and if not, insist that it does. Make it very clear to the social work team the exact limits of how much you want to be involved otherwise there may be an assumption that you will take on the caring role on his discharge. You may need to step back a bit so that they see that he needs professional support. You need to think long term here, and remember your life is your priority. It's essential that a long term care plan is in place before he is discharged from hospital, and that he is not discharged before the package of care is ready to support him immediately on his discharge. This may mean paid carers etc, from a personal care budget provided by the local social services.
Be aware that social services around the country are facing budget cuts and in some locations are raising the bar for what they will pay out. This doesn't mean that you should take on the care at all, but it might mean that you have to push to get the support that he may need.

have a look at carersuk.org for information on community care assessments, and other info

Very best wishes.

Sidge · 24/04/2011 21:16

That's great news Tigerbomb, I hope he gets well and they can sort out a decent care package for him

eggyminniewhingesagain · 24/04/2011 22:06

Fab news, I am glad he is getting sorted out

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