Going into hospital

kazz3105_2

Just after some advise please. I am going into hospital in 2 weeks for major surgery on my foot. I have an 'unofficial' carer (DLA refused AGAIN). He is claiming JSA but the day before I go into hospital he has to start on a 3 week course. I cannot put any pressure of any kind on my leg for at least 4 weeks. How will I cope?
My social worker is supposed to be sorting out direct payment for me to pay my carer but today he said it should take about 3 weeks (he said the same thing in August!!) I'm afraid my carer lost his temper with him and put the phone down.
Where can we turn? I need this operation but if my carer doesn't go on this course he will have his benefit sanctioned. He tried to explain the situation but they are like machines "If you are well enough to work you are well enough to do the course"
I know a lot of you will think "What if he got a job? Well, we will have time then to arrange care for me. For the record he is looking for work.

paddedjohn

While he is claiming jsa he must be actively seeking work and that includes going on courses, while caring for you he cant be doing this so you either need to find another carer or he needs to stop claiming.

Poppie68

kazz3105 wrote: »

Just after some advise please. I am going into hospital in 2 weeks for major surgery on my foot. I have an 'unofficial' carer (DLA refused AGAIN). He is claiming JSA but the day before I go into hospital he has to start on a 3 week course. I cannot put any pressure of any kind on my leg for at least 4 weeks. How will I cope?
My social worker is supposed to be sorting out direct payment for me to pay my carer but today he said it should take about 3 weeks (he said the same thing in August!!) I'm afraid my carer lost his temper with him and put the phone down.
Where can we turn? I need this operation but if my carer doesn't go on this course he will have his benefit sanctioned. He tried to explain the situation but they are like machines "If you are well enough to work you are well enough to do the course"


He maybe your carer but he is being paid to look
for work and has to abide by the rules. If he is spending his time caring for you and not job seeking he is making a false claim. The only option maybe is for him to sign off.




Now a lot of you will think "What if he got a job? Well, we will have time then to arrange care for me. For the record he is looking for work.

Surely you will be able to get around on crutches, just makesure you have everything to hand and are settled close to the loo.

Savvy_Sue

Partly, you think laterally ...

I had a friend who lived alone who had foot surgery, which meant non-weight bearing for several weeks. She used an office chair to scoot round the place, visitors came in with food etc.

Presumably your carer won't be away overnight: you get up and get organised, and you cope.

You ask the hospital for advice post surgery: they may have an information leaflet, or if you google the op you may find tips for managing afterwards.

Presumably they want you to be mobile rather than lying around in bed all day, (risk of clots etc) so ...

sheeps68

Best bet is get an assessment by social care whilst in hospital. They can often put 6 weeks care in place as part of discharge package. Just don't leave it until your home as that then has delays,

Richie-from-the-Boro

A JSA allowance of £70.10 [over 25 years] is paid per week, believe me if he does not attend there is a very real probability of an immediate sanction by the DWP and a potential loss of that £280pcm. Be careful with this, an almost £300 drop in income till its sorted again can be a heck of a loss to living money.

SandraScarlett

Hi, as someone who had foot surgery in March, and has a DH with severe Alzheimers, I absolutely agree with the friend of Savvy_Sue who used a typing chair to get around on, it made all the difference.

It worked better by "digging" my crutch and good foot into the flooring, and I could get round quite well. I live in a bungalow, but if your toilet is upstairs, perhaps SS can arrange for a commode.

A raised seat on the loo was a great help, and I had my shopping delivered, and ignored the housework. Although DH was at his club every day, I still had to cook for us both every night, do the washing etc, but I could scoot round the kitchen easily on the chair.

It's a real bind, but I'd advise you to accept every single offer of help - friends who came for a coffee, washed up, refilled my flask, made me a sandwich etc, and on the days when I didn't have any company, I muddled through.

My foot was so deformed by arthritis, I couldn't wear a shoe or sandal, unless I cut the footwear in various places to accommodate my foot. Now I can wear sandals and shoes, and it is a joy.

I wish you well for your operation, and good luck.

xx

xx

I kept a flask and large bottle of water by my armchair,

shegar

You manage somehow , because you have to, im like the other posters on here with foot op, also got a hubby thats is 85% disabled , and needs 24/7 nursing care.........
Social services allowed him to go into nursing care for 2 wks , I then had to manage him and myself after the 2 wk period............Couldnt get on my foot for 5 weeks .................
Yes it was difficult , but you have to find ways to get round it.........

SandraScarlett

shegar wrote: »

You manage somehow , because you have to, im like the other posters on here with foot op, also got a hubby thats is 85% disabled , and needs 24/7 nursing care.........
Social services allowed him to go into nursing care for 2 wks , I then had to manage him and myself after the 2 wk period............Couldnt get on my foot for 5 weeks .................
Yes it was difficult , but you have to find ways to get round it.........

Yes I agree, and yet somehow, you manage - because you have to. And sometimes you discover hidden talents at adapting to suit your circumstances. I am beside myself with joy today, even though, on top of being physically and mentally disabled, DH recently had a heart attack.

Why am I happy? Because by following web advice as to how you unblock a drain (baking powder and vinegar), my sluggish kitchen sink is now draining beautifully! :j Oh joy!

xx

sunnyone

I too managed with being none weight bearing, for well over a decade in my case and for most of that time I had no adaptions or aids at all because I refused to accept my disability. It was my dirty little secret as you can pretend that you are just incapacitated for a short time while using crutches, I didnt have enough function to use crutches according to medical opinion but I refused to use my wheelchair because then everyone would know my secret.

There are ways and means of managing, if you post pacific problems we can help you to overcome them.

Good luck with your OP, Im in next week for another OP and then again next month, than January and Im starting to feel like a fixture because I seem to be their more often than some of the staff!

sunnyone

SandraScarlett wrote: »

Yes I agree, and yet somehow, you manage - because you have to. And sometimes you discover hidden talents at adapting to suit your circumstances. I am beside myself with joy today, even though, on top of being physically and mentally disabled, DH recently had a heart attack.

Why am I happy? Because by following web advice as to how you unblock a drain (baking powder and vinegar), my sluggish kitchen sink is now draining beautifully! :j Oh joy!

xx

I hope he is OK?

It will be a very frightening experiance for him, did he understand what was happening?

I too take what ever small piece of happiness that I can, it amazing what can make you smile isnt it ?