Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Pennyfarthing]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7262607/LORD-BLUNKETT-Scandal-sister-embarrasses-all.html

The DM have started a campaign to ensure that people with dementia are treated fairly.  If you have a stroke or heart attack, your care will be funded by the NHS.  If you have dementia you are sadly on your own!

There are countless stories about families (like myself) who have had to sell their parents homes to fund their care.  They then get exactly the same care and room as people who may have squandered all their income and get it all paid for.  To add insult to injury they then pay an extra couple of hundred pounds a WEEK extra to subsidise those who the LA pay for. 

We are now paying nearly £900 a week for Mum's care plus all her toiletries, hairdressing, incontinence pads and any extras she needs.  I am able to do Mum's feet otherwise we would also have to pay £25 a time for her foot care.

People who have abused their bodies with alcohol or cigarettes or other substances are treated on the NHS yet people who have tried to live a healthy life until the dreaded dementia gets them are ignored.

I sincerely hope whoever the new Prime Minister is, they tackle this huge problem. 

[marge]

With you all the way Pennyfarthing.  Mum died three years ago, but spent the last 10 years of her life in care with dementia. It took all her savings and property money. I didn't for one second begrudge her the care, it was her and my father's hard-earned money, but I fully agree with you: why are cancer/heart patients treated differently from dementia sufferers.  The brain is just another organ.  So unfair.

[CLKD]

An issue well raised.  I don't think that the Government of the Day have any idea as to how dementia affects whole families.  It is as yet, hidden because many families step up and take on the care.  Therefore saving the country £Ms! 

I have no problem with people spending their monies as they want, after all, some might die prior to needing care.  But: the Government needs to get a handle on the fact that LA do not fund each client fully.  This was explained when we went with Mum to see the place that she eventually choose to move into.  The Manager was quite open, that each social client is un-funded ......... a certain amount each and she told us that sometimes the amount isn't increased for years.  So self-funders are topping up.  Mum's fees went up £100.00 per week in April, without warning or discussion.

We don't know how to find out if the LA increased payments for those in the Home.  One lady has had to move in with another because her funding ran out .......... which is TOTALLY wrong!  What about dignity and privacy issues.  Otherwise, she would have to find somewhere else which can be hard work.

Mum gets her pads via the home.  Daily activities are provided every morning.  TV is on - day in day out.  She provides shampoo, soap and bubble bath.  Chiropodist calls every 2 weeks - £17.00 a visit, each as long as it takes.  If she goes out for a 'trip' with the home, she pays for food even though she has already paid for lunch - I don't see a refund in her bill on those days  in fact the billing system is appalling.

Quality Care Commission are useless.  14 months ago the lock on the toiler near to Mum's room broke so they put a latch on, so the door had to be broken down recently.  3 times I sent an e-mail to the Manager/s but nowt was done 'cos I checked when we visited.  Something that the QCC should have picked up? also the roof tiles are loose - above the conservatory  .  I have sent these details to the QCC and am awaiting comments.  They apparently went in 5 weeks ago but the Report hasn't been released.

How do we, as a concerned group, approach to get this into the open?  AgeUK did begin a campaign in the early 2000s but don't know what happened. 

[marge]

The Daily Mail are highlighting the issue at the mo.

[CLKD]

I will read the Link later but wouldn't buy that particular paper ;-). 

Care Homes need support too if they are to provide best possible care.  But the workers are low paid even if keen.  Also the businesses seem intent on money rather than .......... the 'company' that run the place Mum stays has another home 5 miles away and have opened up somewhere near Doncaster.  I think that they need to upgrade the facilities B4 opening more and more. Again something that the QCC should be able to advise upon.

[sheila99]

Everyone knows something needs to be done but successive governments kick the can further down the road when they realise how much it will cost. Taxes are already at a 30 year high so putting them up further to pay for it won't be popular. It isn't just dementia, parkinsons (except the extreme cases) and those who are just too decrepit to care for themselves are in the same boat. But you don't need to subsidise LA cases. I chose a care home for my Dad that didn't take LA people, it cost enough for his care without paying for others too.

[CLKD]

I think that's how it should be sheila99 - when working for the PAT-dog scheme I visited homes that were purely self-funded/private.  It depends on the Company running the scheme.  There would then be places for LA needs. 

Mum made her choice so I went with it.  They provide end of Life care but don't actually have nurses on a daily basis.  The 2nd choice was mainly for dementia people and the other, purely private except for emergency LA beds until the client was moved on.

So why isn't the NHS paying for such care ....... not something that I had thought of previously.    Probably a different budget?

[CLKD]

How is your Mum?