Trying to contact parents Social Worker.

forgotmyname

Not sure if this is the correct section?

Dads rather private and doesnt tell us much about his doings, Been ill a bit recently and had a hospital stay.

He refuses help from carers etc, Interefering busy bodies and all that. Last time he went into hospital they arranged temp home care afterwards and he told them to sod off the 1st day they arrived.

Anyway. He is home now and i feel he really needs more care, Not certain but i think his eyesight is failing. He wont tell us anything so i thought be a bit sneaky and see if i can track his social worker and express my concerns.
They can make an impromptu visit saying they received word that he has been in hospital and does ne need any assistance.

Considering the daylight/sun yesterday it was a surprise to find him with the lights on saying its like a black hole.

Any idea how i go about finding his social worker? It would be under Birmingham City Council. Will they allow me to put my concerns to them?

Thanks.

sheeps68

I would just ask for adult social services team and from his basic details they will be able to track the worker down. However they will not be able to share information with you without his permission and that would include if he is an open case, name of worker or team.
But you would be able to share your concerns regarding his state and that would be recorded or passed on and assessed which I'm sure is what you really want anyway.

forgotmyname

Thanks. Thats all i need to do is suggest my concern and see if they can offer hime anything.
Proud and stubborn, So the chances of him asking for help is probably less than zero.

Savvy_Sue

You could also contact his GP and express your concerns, again they can't tell you anything but they can potentially visit Dad and maybe suggest that there are things which could be done to help. Possible he will accept help if told to do so by the doctor (BUT NO GUARANTEE!)

forgotmyname

Thought a quick update was worthwhile.

I managed to find a phone number for his previous social workers office, But it seems his case was closed.

They gave me another number who were great. But sadly we are no further forward. No fault of theirs but the old grumpy one.
They said is he willing to speak to us. I asked him and he said no. So they said its a waste of their time coming. I totally agree he will just tell them he is fine and doesnt want their help.

But notes have been made and i have numbers now.

They did ask about his mental state and hinted that if he was in anyway impaired them they would take a different view, But all his marbles are there well probably more so than me and im half his age....

Thanks for the GP tip. If anyone tells him anything the answer is NO.
You can only suggest. How about someone popping in to see if you need anything? Usually it will be a no but one day he may agree.

Thanks for the tips.

forgotmyname

Another update. Another hospital spell and he has agreed to let us call them in and arrange an afternoon/evening visit.

I said he can get them to make him a cuppa or sandwich or just tell them he is all settled and they dont need to do anything.
He seems happy about that now..

Fingers crossed that he doesnt change his mind and that they can do this.

LL30

Has he had carers in before? I'm a student social worker in the hospital - just be aware of the FACS eligibility criteria. Around here we're only working with substantial or critical needs ie threat the life. It's terrible. If you need any help just drop me a pm if you want, it's about making your Dad's needs fit the criteria. For example, we wouldn't provide a carer just to do provide a sarnie and do a safe and well check (although I appreciate that's what you may have told your Dad just to get him to agree to talk about getting some help!).

forgotmyname

Yeah he had carers before. But told them to sling their hooks. (but less politely)

He hated the fact that he wouldnt know who would turn up next. Someone he knew or a stranger.

I dont know what they will offer as aftercare. He is still in hospital. But i will tell him anything to get them to start coming.

What would the carers do? He wont want putting to bed that early. He has afternoon naps so stays up fairly late and is a very early riser.

Just the way his bodyclock works.

milliemonster

Depends what care needs he actually has as to what they can offer, but at the end of the day, if he has capacity to make his own decisions, then there is not a lot anyone can do if he won't let anyone in the house.

Unfortunately this happens an awful lot, family members desperately want to see their loved ones safe and secure at home, but the independent so and so's just refuse to accept they need a bit more help now, its frustrating but one of those things he'll probably come to accept in his own timeframe.

LL30

Got to agree with milliemonster, I deal with the same issue about 10 times a day. It's very difficult.

A carer is for personal care needs. So we would provide one if someone needs assistance to get out of bed, get washed, get dressed, assist them to use the toilet etc. Does your Dad have any of these needs? We also use assistive technology, a falls sensor, lifeline, bed sensors etc

What exactly are your concerns for your Dad? That's what you need to think about. Unfortunately, I have a fair few people on my case load who agree to carers to shut the family up and get out of hospital, then they tell them to do one when they visit...and if they've got capacity, there's nothing anyone can do.

maggiesmummy

Hi
Just to say it may be worth getting him an eye test to see if there are any problems - if his eyesight is getting worse it may be worth a hospital referral to Midlands Eye Clinic (it's on Dudley Road next to City Hospital).The optician can help with that.
There are also a couple of local charities who can help with low vision assessments - Focus in Harborne do them - and do https://www.beacon4blind.co.uk which is in Sedgley - they have people who can help with aids and adaptions - and taking him in to buy a new light might be a good way to get him talking about the problem. They can't diagnose a condition, but they can help him live with it.