Things can only get better

Buffythedebtslayer

Milann, when my BIL came home the paramedics weren't allowed to put him in bed, my sister had to do it alone. Needless to say she is tiny and he is enormous. It is mental. The more I find out the crazier is it.

SA. I don't know. I really don't. He seems to be getting worse with the soiling. It is so difficult. As he obviously doesn't realise.

Always sending love and hope the carers assessment comes through quickly XXX

Cherryfudge

I wonder if the carer's assessment could be a place you could flag up that his condition seems to be worse? It may not affect the finances but perhaps they could link you to other services?

milann wrote: »

I can’t count the times my sil had to call the ambulances out to get her dh up after falls... A couple of times the ‘carers’ phoned for the ambulance after he’d fallen as ‘they weren’t trained to get patients up!!!’ - which I find unbelievable. Surely there could be a service maybe an arm of social services to free up ambulances and have equipment and training to get unstable folk up in the first instance - they’d obviously have training - just to get them mobile again quickly check them over and then phone an ambulance if needed after that. And all these ambulance call outs are taking the ambulances away from life threatening call outs....

May I just put the other side of the case? Well-meaning neighbours got my Mum into a chair after she fell, instead of calling an ambulance. Shortly after, she was admitted to hospital for something else and I got a bewildered call from the ward a few days later to say she'd turned in bed and her hip broke. When I explained about the fall and her being helped to a chair, all was clear. The fall had started the damage and turning in bed finished it. If paramedics had attended, the potential for damage could have been spotted. As it was, she had to have an operation under general anasthetic with all the attendant risks for an octogenarian. I'm a carer myself and we are trained that if the person can't get up themselves (maybe leaning on an arm but certainly not being lifted), we have to call for medical help. We aren't medically qualified and so we can't make a medical diagnosis, which is what the ambulance crew is doing. If we attempt it, we can do more harm than good. So it's not just about not being trained to lift, or the damage that lifting can do to the carer, it's about the potential harm to the fallen person.

I do fully agree though that the shock, the potential for hypothermia, the discomfort and indignity etc. - all these are bad for the person who's already in a distressed state and it would be great it there were more ambulances available to attend or, as you say, an intermediate service, though perhaps that's where first responders come in.

Toni'sfriend

I wonder if the carer's assessment could be a place you could flag up that his condition seems to be worse? It may not affect the finances but perhaps they could link you to other services?

Hopefully this is the case. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to think that he needs help but, even if he doesn't, you do. You can't go on like this indefinitely or the strain will make you ill and then where would he be? I really do hope you find a way to improve your situation. Wish I could suggest something.

-taff

It might be worth asking the doctor or incontinene team if there are [rescripton drugs to help with the incontinence. I know that there are some available [I used to make some].

Sun_Addict

Thank you all xx

The paramedics said there used to be a dedicated falls team but they were the victim of cutbacks. They said if he falls like that again I must make it clear about his medical condition when I ring.

I'm getting a carers assessment next Wednesday. I'm going to mention he's getting worse with his incontinence and falls, it might result in him having another care assessment.

Unbelievably I got stung on my toe by a wasp at Pilates today It's still hurting now

Last day at work this week tomorrow, meeting friends on Friday which involves me going on the train. Not told Mr SA yet. Which reminds me I must book my tickets.

HairyHandofDartmoor

A good idea to mention Mr SA's condition during the carers assessment.

Don't tell Mr SA about you going on the train :shhh:

brizzlegirl

Oh SA, more trails and tribulations. Sending you lots of hugs xxx

Sun_Addict

As you all know I haven't had much sleep over the last few nights. Last night was no exception - this time it was the dog's turn to play up. I was looking forward to a better night tonight, however, Eon have just appeared and started digging our road up :eek:

please-let-me-be-lucky

Boo to Eon, wasps and Mr SA putting himself in danger again :mad:. Makes you wonder how many showers he has when you are at work :eek:.

Really glad you have the Carer’s Assessment sorted though :j. By mentioning how much worse Mr SA has become, you may get more access to other services for you too, such as counselling or support groups Xx

HairyHandofDartmoor

It's like a conspiracy to stop you sleeping SA :mad:.