Carers Group: 12/6/23

Member updates

Moving into a care home

A carer’s mum is now in Riverlee Care Home. She is setting in and doing well. They had a lovely social worker assigned to them and it was decided, due to mobility issues, mum would need nursing care. Another carer had given her a list of homes covering Bromley, Bexley and Greenwich. The first carer said it’s a case of “do it yourself really”.

Meltdown after 1 hour

A daughter carer is feeling more positive now the family are connected to social services. Prior to that they had a Mothers Day outing incident which had shaken everyone up. The daughter decided that she needed to avoid situations which escalated a pattern of behaviour. The family decided, once her mum had given consent, to contact social services. Now carers come in 3 times a week to help with bathing. “It lifts a weight off your shoulders and you feel you’re not alone”. Tatiana recommended asking social services for a befriending service. Janet suggested contacting Volcare Greenwich for their carers support volunteers (a free service) 020 8302 0198 for care in your own home. Another carer said she uses this service and highly recommended it. Miss Mardles companions were also recommended.

Learning opportunities

BLG Mind provide a selection of services, including a course for carers. Janet suggested interested carers put their name on the course waiting list (call 020 3198 2222). You can find out more here.

Moving into another care home

A wife said she couldn’t keep her husband safe at home. While he doesn’t make a fuss, he was unhappy in the care home where he was having a trial stay. She spoke with the home about his needs and they said he needs nursing care because of his mobility and she would need to find somewhere else for him. At the present she is funding his care. Janet said how difficult it is making life changing decisions. A carer said it’s very stressful making decisions, but it was for her mum’s safety she needed to move into a home. Now they have more quality time together.

Tatiana said the husband is entitled to an assessment from social services to assess what type of home would best support his needs. If someone didn’t want social services to assess, they can go and look themselves and the home would need to assess his needs. The wife worries about her husband’s mobility when he is in care. Tatiana recommended expressing the need for his mobility to be considered as part of the assessment. He should have a care plan that documents his needs and she, as his wife, should be consulted. It will be his home so it’s important to express all concerns and they should work with you.

Increasing issues

A carer’s sister is having her appendix out tomorrow. She’s been having some pain and he felt she has been “making a bit of a nuisance of herself”. She has been referred back to the Memory Clinic. Her brain scan hasn’t happened yet. She now has someone to give her meds at night. The brother is taking all of this hard. Tomorrow the op and after that what? Sometimes she is bright as a button and other times depressed and quiet. Janet said Admiral Nurses will be working in the borough, but have not started yet, so she will let him have the national number for Admiral nurses (details here)