Had my B12 injection last Monday - whohoo - pain levels down a tad, still waiting for the energy to surge, ha ha.
Dad couldn't decide whether he wanted to see a doctor or not. His weight was going up but he wasn't any more breathless than usual, so, while it is a "red flag" as far as his congestive heart failure goes there weren't any other accompanying signals. However, he wasn't listening when I told him he needed to start loosing weight - cut down on the donuts and the scones and the pieces of fruit. Fortunately, while I was in for my B12, I managed to get a conversation with our GP. He decided blood tests were in order - oh, man, how I sighed at that one (last time bloods were requested I "lost" 3 mornings out waiting for a district nurse when they had "forgotten" they were supposed to do it...!) However, the lovely lass & expert blood taker District Nurse turned up the following morning &, well, that was that.
Thing is, when someone, any one, decides they can't be bothered with their medical conditions (life threatening ones, not "just" plain old chronic) what are you supposed to do? Firstly they are adults, secondly you cannot watch them 24/7, thirdly they have the right to choose (no matter what I, or anyone else, may think or wish).
However, I made use of that morning in and contacted a company about taking away the garden rubbish, I tried to contact one about the guttering issue (but no one wanted to talk to me, so I need to find someone else) and I contacted an estate agent about a property I'd seen. I have grand plans. I have no money, but I like to dream. In some ways it keeps me sane, in others it frustrates the hell out of me.
Our GP came out on Thursday, so no rest that day, to see Dad. His long term sugar levels are a bit on the iffy side though not red flagging yet. His chest is clear, so the weight is "just" weight, his legs are fine. The GP also had a conversation with Mum. All in all, he is very pleased with how they are doing and our care of them. Certainly helped a little with the emotional fallout from the patronising SW report.
On the SW front I've had an email from a Group Manager with an unreserved apology. Acknowledging that the points I raised are valid ones. So, next step is a meeting with yet another SW member probably some time in August/early Sept. Bearing in mind that the actual review was in early April. . . Thing is until we get that sorted out the chances of Mum getting her"monkey bar" assessment are 0.
Wednesday morning was glorious. So, I decided to grab my sister & we went out for the day. I couldn't really afford it, and neither could she, but I needed out the house. The last time I'd had a day out was 11 April, the day before my bestie went back home after his 2 week visit. That's a long time without a significant break & decompression. That's the thing when you're a carer - you are told to get out the house as much as you can, but finances constrain you, as does physical ability in my case. As does getting cover for yourself. Cover needs a minimum of 2 weeks advance planning - when the weather is good you can't just pick up and go - however, I took a chance. I bubbled the house & Mum and Dad and we went. It was a bit busy but it was good.
And then there are the carers. We have some excellent carers who take great pride in their work and have an excellent work ethic. We have others who will only do the bare minimum. Fortunately, the ones who pretend to do things are no longer with us. For a number of months now I've been having a back & forth debate with the carers manager/supervisor - if carers can perform the things they are supposed to in half the time allocated then maybe we need to change the time allocation because there are other people out there in need for free personal care& not getting as much. Without physically standing in the room there is no way to tell if all the things written in the log book are actually carried out. Then there are the carers who think that they know better than the care plan instruction and decide, unilaterally, not to do the things they are paid to do because they know better.
*sigh*
But it really is getting to the point now where carers have 30 minutes, they are turning up 10/15 minutes late and leaving 5 mins early yet saying in their log that they've been here 20+ minutes and have done all they should do. If they are that bloody efficient and good at their jobs, then I will speak to Social Work and get our allocation reduced. I know the arguments against it, but I also feel rather strongly that people are getting paid for things they aren't doing.
On the other hand I know they don't earn much, I know they have a rigid timetable and it is not an easy job. But this is my mother we are talking about - if you can't provide the level of care which is stated in your own documentation, then you need to be doing something else with your life. It's a job, it's not a skive.
I'll keep an eye on things, I will continue reporting to their management but, if by the time I have my next meeting with SW things haven't improved then their nice easy time here will be far shorter and their bosses will have money withdrawn and, potentially, have all other SW allocated clients on FPC reviewed. Do they think like that? Oh, heavens no.
Then there's the issue of the Care Commission who oversee the running of care companies (amongst other things). If they notice that care plans are reduced, especially after the length of time we've had the same plan, questions will be asked & things will get a bit too warm for comfort for the company &, I have no doubt, management will share their displeasure.
One more stress on me, but no one gives a shit about that either.
It isn't easy, but at least I've "sold" 4 more copies of my book. That's a whole £0.90 I have earned so far. Still trying to keep a perspective on that viewpoint but it ain't easy sometimes. That said, I'm at page 140 of the next book in the series, so it's not standing still.
And now I'm off to be a unicorn farting rainbows in the kitchen while tidying up and doing dishes & having snuffles LOL
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