Sorry Folks I am going to have a moan........

[DEN53]

I have spent weeks sorting out a care program for my Mum who has dementia - my Dad is her main carer and needs help, which I provide, but its gradually worn me down mentally.

I had a meeting with Social Services a few weeks ago, and the care package funding had been agreed. Last week I had another meeting with Social Services and the care agency to agree what care Mum actually needs. I also wanted the care agency to manage the budget, as this would be less hassle.

We agreed on a carer to come in once a day to wash and dress her and a shower once a week. My Dad already gets respite care on a Wednesday morning for 3 hours, so he can get out and do some shopping and have a break. They agreed to another 3 hours on a Friday for him to have some 'me time' - and the carer would either take Mum out or sit with her.

We had the care agency manager come this Monday and sort times out etc.

I have just had a strange phone call from the agency manager, informing me they can now not offer the personal care for Mum - I then asked about the sitting service (which has already been in place for 3 months) on a Wednesday morning - and was told this has also can not now be offered. The manager said she could'nt go into detail at this time, but was really sorry. I can only deduce from this that they have gone into liquidation, although they are a large company 'Crossroads'.

Just when I thought we had got something sorted, this has to happen. I am now back to square one and have to start the ball rolling once more.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Thanks for listening. xx

[LoftyLottie]

Crossroads has limited funds due to it being a Charity and a free service for carers. Perhaps there funds are too stretched at the moment - they would be unable to discuss this. Personal care is organised with care agencies through social Services and has to be paid for unless you qualify (i.e. through benefits, etc) for free care.

[DEN53]

I've just sent email Mazie.

Lottie - thinking about it, next to the Crossroad's office is another agency, I noticed last week when I went for the meeting. I think it was that agency that was going to provide the personal care plan.

[DEN53]

Lottie - Crossroads charge £14.00 per hour for the sitting service, which has been paid by Social Services. Up till now, if we wanted any extra sitting service, we have paid for it privately.

[LoftyLottie]

That's sounds more like it DEN. If the agency manager has said that they can't provide care, it could well be they are packing up. You should contact Social Services regarding this rather than the agency manager. They generally get their contracts through Social Services.

[LoftyLottie]

Crossroads must have changed in the last few years. It used to be free up until 2006.

[DEN53]

I am just waiting for the Social Worker to ring me back sometime, Lottie.

Though he is a bit of a chump and it was me showing him last week how to fill the forms in.

[LoftyLottie]

It's a minefield DEN, and I feel for you. I was really lucky to have a brilliant social worker. Good luck, I hope you get it sorted. I completely understand the stress you are under.

[mazie]

I was the same lofty had a brilliant Social Worker and now Mum in a home we still met up and have beecome firm friends. I was fortunate with janet she'd been a social worker for 25 years so she knew all the little wrinkles that get things done. crossroads charged £14 per hour for my Mum as well but I never got involved with the finances, social services sorted all that out for me.

Got your mail DEN and have replied x

[LoftyLottie]

Yes Maizie, I knew mum's social worker for years and she too had been doing her job for years. We always have a chat if we meet in town. She also kept in touch and helped out a lot when Mum had to go into a home and helped me with finding a better home when the first few didn't work out. I couldn't have done without her. She also filled all the forms out for me when Mum first needed attendance allowance and got her the higher rate because she knew just how to do it. Brilliant.

[mazie]

LOL lofty, sounds like we have the same Social worker, like you, I couldn;t have done it without that level of support. DEN seems to have someone that's not sure of the ropes yet! Let's hope it all works out OK. It is a lot of pressure though!