Support for infirm relative

BarleyGB

Im looking for advice please.

I visited an elderly uncle at the weekend (Bournemouth area) who only has one other dependent (who is helping). none of us live nearby,

My uncle is 90 and recently bereaved and lives alone, clearly struggling with mobility & potential initial symptoms of Alzheimer's and looked a bit dishevelled.  His house was a bit of mess, cleaning hadn't been kept up with either.  I gather he's recently had a carer start visiting.

I spoke to a neighbour who checks in on him, but theyve already taken action to turn the gas off, as my uncle had apparently left the stove on (unlit) for a couple of days.  

He could well be better off in a carehome, but I suspect this wouldnt be what my uncle wants.  

Please could any of you advise me what I can do (from afar) to support him and ensure he's getting suitable care and support

- Which is the responsible NHS/Government organisation, what support is on offer (where do I go for help), my uncle may need help with money, shopping, even just checking his house is safe.
 - What support do relevant charities offer 

Many many thanks in advance, he is a beloved relative that has done much for my family in the past, I want to help him all I can.

Brie

Do you know if he's getting attendance allowance?  That would help to pay for extra support if he doesn't have the funds.  He'd likely be entitled to it in any case.  

Adult social services might be the best point of contact.   This might be the place to start at least.

Eligibility for care and support for older and vulnerable adults | BCP (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)

Age UK might also help.

Age UK | The UK's leading charity helping every older person who needs us

p00hsticks

I'm trying to tackle a sort of similar situation at present. 

Apart from adult social services for his area, as mentioned above, one other option is to contact his local surgery and ask if they can arrange a telephone appointment or onsite visit from an Occupational Therapist, 'Frailty nurse' or similar - although they may be unwilling to talk to you unless you have PoA in place.  

I'd strongly suggest that as a matter of urgency if you and/or the other dependent you mention don't have PoAs in place for him  you get them while he is still mentally  competent to authorise them. If you don't have them and he loses capacity apparently it is a long winded process to get authority to deal with his affairs (both finaincial and for health and welfare) from the Office of the Public Guardian. 

Albermarle

Which is the responsible NHS/Government organisation, what support is on offer (where do I go for help), 

The local authority social services dept is usually the first port of call. 

Who has organised a carer to visit ?

teddysmum

My father had Parkinson's, with carers visiting. They once took him to the hospital, as the skin on the back of his hand was grazed as they said they were not allowed to give medical treatment, so the first time they noticed he had left the gas cooker ring turned on, but unlit, he was put in a care home, without family consultation. From a comment my daughter-in-law made about caravan cookers, I have the impression that modern cookers (Dad's been gone 20 years) are unable to be left on without being lit.

Albermarle

 I have the impression that modern cookers (Dad's been gone 20 years) are unable to be left on without being lit.

Correct but you can still leave them on lit all night, or burning a pan. 
We have all done it !

teddysmum

The danger, as with Dad, seems to be the gas left on with no light. At least you would hear the bang when the dried out pan exploded.
I've never left my cooker on as I've always had electric, so lights show.

Dad did once , knowingly leave a hob ring burning, while he went to the toilet and I came in with his shopping, dropping my handbag, as usual, on the cooker. A few seconds and it didn't half make a mess of the leather, giving a real view of what it would have done to thin human skin.

Danien

Albermarle said:

 I have the impression that modern cookers (Dad's been gone 20 years) are unable to be left on without being lit.

Correct but you can still leave them on lit all night, or burning a pan. 
We have all done it !

Absolutely. I had a drunk housemate once put a pan on an electric hob, then forget and go to bed. Luckily I came in shortly after and put out a small pan fire.

OutdoorQueen

I agree with others that social services for a Care and Support assessment is a good starting point. Depending upon the address, this might be the contact: https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/adult-social-care-and-health/contact-us-about-adult-social-care

Just a thought, has your Uncle ever served in the military, full time or reserves.  Doesn’t matter when. Organisations such as SSAFA have many resources open to them.   They may be able to arrange for another veteran to call in for a coffee once a week.  

https://www.ssafa.org.uk/get-help/supporting-older-veterans

Also, try the medical practice and ask for a Care Co ordinator or Social Prescriber.  It depends upon area as to the exact roles or if they exist in the area but a conversation with either might give some further options.