Gaaaah! Sheltered Housing And The End Of My Saturday Night Tether.....

[Mosaic]

Just when you think it's all quiet and routine....normal evening phonecall to the elderly outlaws reveals that a policeman came round to check on them this afto. Why? Because the occupant of the next flat in the sheltered complex has reported himself at the police station saying he has just attacked them.

So....being FIL first we hear is hours later(wouldn't dream of troubling anyone)......lots of phone calls to housing association, police and social services reveal the following:

Housing association will not look into anything until Tuesday 09.00. Phrases such as duty of care negligence, and who's your boss meet total blank wall.

Police happy to relate that the instigator reported in a confused and delusional state and was taken to A&E, and believe he will be discharged.

Social services are on voicemail. leave a numebr and we'll get back to you.

We live 50 miles away. Thatcher was right. there is no society. Thank you for listening.

[boxtops]

I'm sorry - who is the society who is lacking, if your FIL didn't tell anyone? Surely he could have told someone else in his housing complex - it's sheltered, there must be an emergency process?

[bednobs]

so were t hey attacked

[flump1]

Blimey, must have been unsettling to say the least. I hope they settle with no more hassle. Makes you cross when not even a skeleton staff are not there to help.

[boxtops]

I find that astounding. When my mum was in sheltered accommodation, there was always an emergency cord she could pull - if there were no staff on duty, it went through to an external help agency. If need be, the agency would ring us to let us know there was a problem.

[pixie373]

Sheltered housing? Where was the warden?

[Mosaic]

No, they weren't attacked. The person appears to be hallucinating. Numerous times people in this state confuse fantasy and reality, and my concern is that he will return home and act out his fantasy.
The complex has been sold repeatedly and in a decade has gone from local church/council partnership to a property corporation who couldn't give one and who are filling flats with 'easy rents' - a growing number of people below pensionable age who have metal health issues.
They have responded, Boxie, that their emergency provision is for property damage only. But cheers for your concern, 90 is a terrific age to reach. The world has changed a lot in their 90 years and they find much of it scarey and confusing.
One had a TIA recently and the other has dementia. And the TIA sufferer is the registered carer. They pay their money to this company believeing they have what it said on the package originally - someone to contact in case of need.

[Mosaic]

No more warden Pixie since the last sell-on - it's a 'helpline'. For property damage only, we find.

[Mamyalynne]

This is very sad for all concerned, best tip for your Inlaws is to keep door well secured and if the confused neighbour does approach to ring Police immediately. Hope all is well.

[pixie373]

Yes, difficult situation. Do your relatives have call alarms that they can press in an emergency? You can get them from Age Concern for £4 a month. Hopefully, once Social Services are involved, their neighbour will get the appropriate care.

[EDDIE51]

Where your 'outlaws' are living can not be described as 'sheltered housing' where is the shelter?
I know this is not the question but someone urgently needs to investigate this and demand that the housing association actually provide what they are advertising. Possibly trading standards need a call as well as the social services?
Every 'sheltered housing' property I have heard of has a resident warden at least I can not see how this can be classed as 'sheltered housing' it must break the trades description act as there is no one to provide the 'shelter'
The residents must be paying for the 'shelter' part of it but are not getting anything other than a standard flat.
I would start withholding the part of the rent until this is resolved.

[Old_Geezer]

Thatcher did her best to ensure there is no society, but there still is. But not everyone agrees with the balance between individualism and community, or what is needed. And there will always be those who don't wish to pitch in.

[Old_Geezer]

It sounds to me as if it is the authorities that don't have an adequate system in place. Surely most of your in-laws neighbours are the decent sort ?

[Mosaic]

Eddie - some good points there that I will pursue. As for withholding a portion of rent - the outlaws are of the sort that fret about using the blue badge in Tesco disabled parking bays, and have lived in awe of any kind of officialdom all their lives. I don't think a rent protest will happen - sadly.
OG, the sad thing is that this is the second flat they've had since retiring and in both cases a similar path has happened: they moved in because it was exclusively for the elderly / retired, with warden on site, owned by 'responsible bodies'(councils / charities partnership).
In both cases the properties' ownership and running has been repeatedly sold on, and with each step a saving is made. First no on-site warden, then moving in tenants who are clearly safe bets in that their rent is paid by the DSS, and who are not retired but often long-term ill, including people with mental health issues.
It is an absolute exemplar of the Thatcher effect. The original tenants are being short-changed and the needy new tenants have been parked 'in the community' and forgotten about.
The simple message is don't ever get old or frail or anything less than very rich and robust, because society certainly does not give a flying one about what happens to you.

[EDDIE51]

The housing association are making a nice profit out of this, the rents must be considerably more than the rent for a 'standard' flat to provide the non existent 'shelter' . They are paying for something they are not being provided, it is like hiring a coach and being told there is no driver provided just the vehicle and it is up to you to find a driver.
There must be a contract saying what is provided in the way of 'shelter' and the housing association must be in breach of contract. I would contact a solicitor to see if the housing association can be sued for breach of contract.
I have worked in sheltered housing with full time staff, the residents would be incapable of looking after themselves, they need at least a warden to call in daily and see if they are ok. The very definition of 'sheltered housing' is that it is only for people who need help to cope with day to day problems. This need urgent attention , have you thought of reporting this to the local papers? that might get some action.
'Emergency provision is for property damage only' ? that is just not good enough, every housing association and council housing dept has to have that, this place is clearly not providing what it claims to provide.

[Mosaic]

Eddie, looking forward very much to bearing your children as a token of gratitude. Excellent ideas on which I will act.

[EDDIE51]

Mosaic , thanks for the thought but at 63 with 5 children of my own and 12 grandkids i can't face more additions to the family. Got 3 grandkids staying over the holiday weekend to give their Mum a 'break' . I already need a break or a strong drink myself. But your story is horrific , that is not 'care' it is neglect thinking about it there even could be a criminal case for neglect of vulnerable people, the bit about allowing a person with mental health problems in to a sheltered housing complex with no actual plan of care is way out of order.
When i worked in sheltered housing, each resident had by law to have an individual care plan in place , this care plan had to be agreed with the resident or their relatives and lodged in the records , it could be seen at any time by the residents/relatives/ care staff/ social services. I will try to find out more as I am sure it is still a requirement of sheltered housing that every resident has a 'care plan' recorded and updated regularly.
We need 'Ratter15 ' on this one , he used to be a senior manager in a care home and he really knows his stuff.

[Mosaic]

This is why I love AB. Go Eddie!

[EDDIE51]

Had a Google but I am afraid it is not good news.
Sheltered housing can now be just a scheme that is designed for older people , there is no requirement to provide care. What I understood to be sheltered housing is now called 'extra care housing' or 'very sheltered housing'
There may be a case for getting something done about the person with mental health problems as it could be argued that he / she is not suitable for a housing scheme where there is no supervision.
What was agreed when your in laws moved into the housing? was there an agreement that a manager or warden was available? and anything about care being available, a communal dining room for example?
My idea of sheltered housing is where a daily lunch is provided for the residents as it was where I worked.
Will try to think of what more can be done.

[Mosaic]

Eddie, you are more than kind and I really appreciate your advice.

[Dee Sa]

write to the person at the very top [ recorded delivery of course to prove you sent it] find out which minister in the cabinet is responsible for Social Services and write and tell them your fears and how no one would be able to respond within days and you don't think its good enough.etc etc
Now the minister has to respond and to do so he will have to contact head of social services that covers that area and they will kick ass because its making them look bad and you will get answers believe me it works every time, all it needs is one letter to the person at the very top. Good Luck.