Social workers please help.

[AniaSM]

I badly need some words of wisdom. I have my mother in a care home but I think she has been misdiagnosed as needing EMI nursing care. When she was assessed she was on librium and has a Urinary tract infection. Patients with either of these can exhibit apparent dementia,
I accept that mum is a little confused and wandersome but she's nothing like the other residents in the home.
I'm attending a meeting Thursday morning to address the issues I have with the social worker and the care home manager and the DPN.
If you could advise me on her right to be reassessed and also I'm not happy with the care home so I want to get her moved as soon as possible. If someone from the new care home assesses her does the social worker have to abide by the results. What can I expect? I'm really worried.

[Katie~77]

Have you spoken to the current care providers about how you feel?x

[AniaSM]

They know how I feel but my hands are tied by the social worker.

[LoftyLottie]

I am surprised that Social Services are making decisions about your mother without reference to her family. In my experience Social Services will help to get people into a suitable care home and their role stops there, unless someone is sectioned. This has been my experience. I am still in contact with my mother's social worker, mainly because she is willing to give me advice, but as far as she is concerned my mother's case with social services is closed unless a doctor feels the need to involve social services again, which would be recommended by the care home or the family. Of course, you might have different circumstances.

I am sure your mother has the right to have a second opinion.

[Lonnie]

You also have the right to 'sack' your social worker, and request another, my wife and I did it for our daughter, we now have a very good one, but if you decide to do this, there'll be meetings at their HQ, a bit like a tribunal, where you'll have to prove he/she is the wrong person for your mother.

[AniaSM]

The social worker has done everything she can to avoid taking my wishes into consideration. She has cancelled appointments that I have made and advised me to do nothing. I tried to talk to her today but she had gone home ill. I had a long talk with another social worker and he was like a breath of fresh air not to mention quiet disarming. I think I will 'sack' my mums current social worker. I feel like there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks.Xx

[william c]

Have you referred your mother to a geriatrician through your GP?

[LoftyLottie]

I feel for you AniaSm. On two occasions I have been through similar circumstances and unfortunately I have had to 'fight' social workers. There are good and bad ones and I have been at breaking point on several occasions. You have to be tough and stick to your guns. I hope it all works out for you. Your mother deserves and has a right to the best possible treatment. I would also phone your mother's doctor and express your concerns. Let everyone concerned know that you are a force to be reckoned with! Your poor Mum can't do it for herself - she is lucky to have you.

[oldmegan]

I don't know anything about this subject, but just wanted to post an answer to give you support and hope it works out for you and your Ma. Best of luck to you.

[marabout]

cant you speak to your gp...if you have spoken to your mothers s.worker..then i advise writing a letter to her/him...requeting a written answer within so many days..if not happy,then write another to the dept...go chat to a citizens advice offier...they can always advise..i wish you well.

[jodie73]

Sorry to hear about your problems. You should ring social services and ask to speak to the head of department about your concerns and tell them you are not happy about the treatment you and your mother has recieved, sometimes the head of department will take over the case. UTI's do have an affect on elderly peoples mental state sometimes to the point where they see things that aren't there! This doesn't mean they are demented, nothing a course of antibiotics can't clear up. You should be notified at every stage of your mothers care and if there are any concerns you should be told. You also have the right to move your mother to a home which you think is suitable and the manager of the home thinks your mother is a suitable resident for that particular home. Write everything down you want to say at the meeting and also take notes on what is said in case you are not happy with the outcome and want to take it further. Good luck.x

[AniaSM]

I am originally from Poznań, Poland. My mother and I came here when I was 8 years old, years before the current wave of Polish immigration. She had heard that British people were walm and welcoming. Now I find that my only blood relative in this country needs me. Thanks.Xx

[AniaSM]

I've just read back what I last typed and it sounds like I'm ungratefull. I meant to say how wonderfull the British are but it came out wrong.

[Katie~77]

Ania, please take Jodie73's advice. She knows what she's talking about. Good luck.x

[AniaSM]

I attended a meeting Thursday morning and was able to talk face to face with everyone concerned and eventually got everything I wanted but due to procedures having to be followed its going to take a few weeks. Things are looking up. Thanks for the advice. Xx