I was told I was entitled to respite after a carer's assessment but that I would have to arrange it and pay for it myself! Course I could do that anyway. Why should I need an assessment to tell me that? So cost? £10 + per half hour but no guarantee the carer would arrive or arrive on the agreed time. So for three half hour sessions a week (what can you do in half an hour?) I get a monthly bill of £120 and more when there is a bank holiday involved. If there is an emergency like doctor's appointment which has to be arranged at 8.00 am on the day you can't cancel the arrangement as they need minimum of 24 hours notice.
My income, carer's allowance £55 per week and earn £35 a week plus the odd tenner here and there but because I have savings I have to pay the full wack, no discounts on council tax. As my own health is bad I am considering applying for some help for myself but wonder if I would be any better off and probably subject myself to some smart arse assessor asking if I can wipe my own bottom or lift a pint of milk. Well I can as it happens but there is no way I could do a day's work now. The small job I have exhausts me especially with looking after a home, myself and my disabled wife, bouts of collitus, AS, depression,psoriasis.....
perhaps laisez faire until I fall out of my tree.
Will I be that lucky?

I've had social workers say things that no-one else has ever heard about & then deny that they ever said it in the first place then accuse us of getting it wrong! They seem to be intent on us running around like fools, raking up massive phone bills.

I am not sure as yet what we will be getting? If only it was as simple as finding out what procedures and services there are? That is the point. You can have assessments and yet still not have your assessed needs met. Then again it would seem that SWs can bring in hidden criteria and give you what you need. It is anything but transparent and very arbitrary.
Just now I feel sick. Friday & Saturday night not only did Ali not sleep but he randomly ran at my bedroom door and kicked it throughout the night. I dont know if it was that or if i had a bug brewing ..most likely the stress of that and/or the burden of grieving for Neil has set my diverticular off again...which landed me in hospital in July! Got another week to go till the SW gets back in touch and a Psychiatrist appt we've been waiting for for months on Thursday...I dont know how we survive to be honest?!
Ena, that has been our total experience to date...over 10 years of SS shenanigans!!!
Karen x