Am I In The Wrong With My Care Company?

[trt]

I am 73, and have been having carer's twice a day, (30 min lunch & evening) for about 18 months, due to copd, and other ailments, which I pay approx £80 a month towards.

When I started with them, I was asked what suitable times would suit me, which was between 12.30/1pm lunch, 7.30/8pm evening.
The past 6 months, I have had many visits at 2pm, 3pm & 8.30pm & even 10pm.
When I complain, its the same old excuses, short staffed, staff sickness, holidays etc.

This past week has been really bad, and last night I had a row with their weekend coordinate, when the carer came at 9pm, & told them I was going to have a word with the Social tomorrow, which she replied, 'do what you want',...... nice.

I know the home-care industry is in a mess at the moment, and this company have had 2 manageress walk out in the past 3 months, and at weekend, it seems all the office staff, have to do visits, which is not going down to well.

They seem to be taking on anybody that needs a job, have no training & some with no transport, who have to walk from visit to visit, which some are 15+ minutes apart.

The owner is busy with her 2 other care businesses, in another 2 towns, and very hard to get hold of.

Should I complain to the Social, as some have done, or give them a chance to sort their problems out?

[ummmm]

Complain.

[Zacs-Master]

'When I complain, its the same old excuses, short staffed, staff sickness, holidays etc.'

[woofgang]

Are you employing them directly or did social services arrange it? If Social Services arranged it, then its to them that you should complain but you will need to do your homework first. You need a diary of who turned up when and what effect that had on your life. I am afraid "I don't like it" and "this isn't what was arranged" won't get you far but having to wait until 3pm for lunch (especially if you are diabetic), maybe having to wait to be helped to the loo and so on will get attention. keep in mind that what might happen is that different ways are suggested of managing your needs, like the night carer making up and leaving you a cold lunch ready and so on. As to what you should do....well what do you want to happen? SS won't know what is happening unless someone tells them but you may not get your visits put back where you want them.

[Eleena]

Ah Trt,
what a shame you don't know anybody trustworthy enough who would willingly carry out the tasks you need at the times you need for the same payment.

[trt]

## Are you employing them directly or did social services arrange it?##

Social services arrange it woof, and I forgot to add, a few times in the past, nobody has turned up at all, and when asked the next day, they say, oh, sorry about that, she was definitely on your rota!

## Ah Trt,
what a shame you don't know anybody trustworthy enough##

I have been looking around Eleena.
I dont want a carer coming at 9pm at night or 3pm for lunch, they just dont understand peoples wishes.

[trt]

PS:
Its 1.30pm now, and no sign of anybody yet!!! :-(

[tony1941]

I realise that you cannot divulge on here where you live or who the company is. I would suggest you do the following - first, put your grievances in writing, either via email or registered letter , giving them a set time to respond. Secondly, yes, definitely speak to your social worker ASAP - regardless of the company's difficulties both they and social services have a duty of care to provide you with appropriate help and their business problems are not your concern; your health and support is. Thirdly, report your concerns to CQC NOW . Fourthly- Social services will more often than not go for the cheapest option, but you should have been given a choice of care providers originally, gone are the days when you have to accept someone else's choice. If you do decide to change companies, the care reports on the CQC website, www.cqc.org.uk
will give you a good idea of the strengths and weaknesses of individual companies.

[jennyjoan]

My cousin has an aunt of 93 and sharp as a tack but riddled with arthritis. She has 4 sets of 2 carers throughout the day. Things went a bit awry - she complained to SS and it went back to normal.

You need to complain to the Care Manager who should look into things.

Good luck TRT.

[Eleena]

Tony, that's great advice. May be there's an alternative care company that operates more efficiently.

[Baldric]

Complain away, but don't be surprised if the standard of care is reduced
£2.50 (approx) a day doesn't buy a great deal

[trt]

Thanks folks,
will call SS tomorrow, I have had enough.

##You need to complain to the Care Manager who should look into things.##

They haven't got one Jenny, they both walked out :-)

[woofgang]

my advice remains the same trt, keep a diary and complain to social services....be clear about what effect this is having on your life and remember that "this is not what was agreed" and "I don't like it" won't cut nearly as much ice as issues which risk your health and safety....Yes I know it should...

[trt]

Thanks woof,

By the way, the carer came at 2.10pm, only 1 hour & 40 minutes late.

[Jackdaw33]

The last thing 'carers' do is care. They are employed by private companies on the minimum wage. I have a cleaner who works for such a firm. This is a private arrangement which I fund myself. She comes in for 2 hours per week, cleans my tiny flat then does my shopping. At £30 p.w. it's a bargain and a weight off my mind.

[ummmm]

Not true, Jack. My granddads carers came in twice daily, dealt with his hygiene, made his breakfast and left snacks in the evening.

[Eleena]

My dad's carers were also decent and respectful. It's very much a gamble, sad but true. I hope you get sorted quickly Trt x