urgent ad hoc home care

saving_pennies

Hello everyone,

I receive direct payments and at the moment have carers come in every morning. As I am falling frequently at the moment it has been agreed I can have a carer come in during the evening as well to assist with dinner, medication and bedtime routine. I use two different care agencies to provide my care and neither of them are able to do the evening care calls at the moment. Last week I called many other care companies however all seem to either not have any availability or fail to call me back. I live in hampshire and have worked my way through the hants website for home care agencies.

Today I have fallen twice. Once this morning whilst my carer was here. I spent all day in bed and when I got up this evening I fell again and my fall alarm called the telecare people who phoned an ambulance for me. The paramedic was lovely, put me back into bed, gave me pain relief and did checks. My blood sugar was on the low side (4.4) and he asked when I last eat, which was about 2pm (my carer had left my lunch by my bed). He recommended I need to get some food. As I can't get out of bed without falling I called both care agencies that provide my morning care and neither can help me. The is meant to be rapid response team that social service pays for as part of the telecare system but apparently the rapid response are not there to get me food/meds etc.

This isn't the first time I've fallen or had a 'bad' day and not been able to get up at all, and therefore needed extra support. I have direct payments and have the money to pay for this extra support and my social worker has said it is ok to get extra support on an ad hoc basis as required on top of the usual daily support. But I still need to find the carers. Very occasionally the two care agencies I use have been able to cover, but more often than not they can't and all I can do is remain in bed.

I'm wondering if there is companies that provide emergency cover for:

1. when my usual carers can not come, e.g. if they are sick and there are no other carers to attend (which happened Friday and Saturday) - I actually moved from a private carer to a care agency as I was told that if a carer was sick they would send someone else, but often they are so short staffed that they can't.

2. when I need assistance and the next care call isn't due for a long time.

As tonight stands, I either have to remain in bed without food until tomorrow about 10:30am when the carer comes, or rest for a few hours and attempt to get up again, which based on my walking and balancing skills today will mean I will most probably fall again

Last time I was in this situation I called social services and was told that because I am on direct payments it is down to me to sort out the care I need, which is good when I am well enough to do it, but in situations like today I am stuck with money in the account but no carer to pay.

BAFE

I am so sorry tohear this.

First of all, the falling - surely this is something that medication can control? Are you already taking medication for this? If so, it may need changing or tweaking to get the exact dosage right. What does your GP do about all these falls?

Secondly How long have you been receiving direct payments for. I care for someone who pays me directly under the same scheme. Can you not advertise for a carer who will attend to you all the time, like a personal assistant, and then use the agency for when your regular carer is on holiday/sick. that would allow you to have continuity.

Whereabouts are you - you don't have to be specific.

I have also worked for a care agency. No-one wants to do the night shifts or week-end shifts because employers no longer pay a premium for these shifts. It's silly that they stopped doing this in my opinion the only people to suffer are the patients. sigh.

saving_pennies

Thank you BAFE

The dr is not sure why I am falling. I'm not on medication and the dr is refering me to get this investigated. I started on direct paymenst for other long term disabilities (mainly CFS) but since then I developed new symptoms, including the falling, and additional pain which will be investigated when the dr referal goes through.

I've been on direct payments for about a year. I initially had a private carer that I employed but when she was ill or had to take day off due to childcare issues etc I ended up with no one. This private carer decided to leave and return to her old career, and I found it difficult to find another private carer so I called care agencies and because they have many workers they said that if one carer is ill they will send another, so in theory I will get a carer everyday. My care calls are generally spread over 3 carers which gives some continuity but also nice as I get to chat with different people.

I don't think it is possible to employ a private carer/personal assistant and then use the agency when the carer is sick as this will be too short notice for all the agencies I have dealt with. I could do this for holidays though.

I did think I could advertise for private carer for evening shift as I can pay more than they get from an agency. It's appauling that I pay the agency about £15 an hour but the care worker from the agency only gets about £7 per hour. I am also thinking of advertising for a private carer who can come to me in emergencies/at short notice like today, but at a higher hourly rate than if it was a regular slot, if that makes sense.

I'm in hampshire. If you want me to be more specific I can PM you.

finky_2

hello
i thought my situation was bad but i guess as they say there is always someone much worse off than yourself!!!

i too am in hampshire and i do know a few private carers who maybe able to help you. if you would like to pm me where you are so that if i can help i will.

all the best
laura