Out to save money ! Forget about Carers needs!!
- By jeanette
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Sat 29 Dec 2007 11:20
Where I live we know that our respite service is going to change dramatically in 2009, and many discusions have taken place regarding its continuity. We where told verbally at least three times ..the number of nights you have (not including emergency nights) in 2007 will be repeated in 2008,but they have renagued on their verbal promises and reduced the number ! Take my tip !! Always get 'promises' in writing!! It seems to me that we are having to turn into political machines to fight for ours and our carees needs and where do we find the time and energy to do that?! Read the political blurb about how much is going to be done to help us and then toss it in the bin because it is rubbish!! Things are getting worse not better!
For the few of you who are getting better services ..I am really pleased on your behalf, but really believe everything is lead by money and not heart health and need!!!!
Replies
- By SocialHeretic
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Re: Out to save money ! Forget about Carers needs!!
Sat 29 Dec 2007 12:34As repeated often on Carer run forums , care is now not based on need , it's based on one's ability to pay.
We all see politicians bleating on about the NHS being free at the point of delivery ...... not one voice of protest is heard about social care. And yet , as many carers with know to their cost , many medications that may improve their caree's health and well being are often denied on cost grounds.
Carers await the Report with mixed feelings ..... a minority may still hang on to the hope that things will improve. If we include the disabled \ the elderly with carers , and then look at the bigger picture , anyone left who still thinks things for all those unable to work will improve ?
- By Valis
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Re: Out to save money ! Forget about Carers needs!!
Sun 30 Dec 2007 00:41I dont quite agree with you there SH. I personally think care is based on who can shout loudest and cause the most problems. This takes stamina as you have to constantly keep shoutiing lots of us get so exhausted doig this that we give up. There's only so much c**p a lies you can take from the so callled welfare system.
I personally will ever let another Social Worker have aything to do with myself or my wives care as they caused more problems and stress and told more untruths.Sometimes its better to just rely on yourself
- By Marion28
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Re: Out to save money ! Forget about Carers needs!!
Sun 30 Dec 2007 00:54Im sorry you had such problems Valis -I understand the situation maybe somewhat different as I care for two of my children being disabled and one who isnt - but when I lived up north I couldnt stand social services as I would agree with you they just caused more problems.
I think you have just been very unlucky and I respect your opinion to rely on yourself.
Unfortunately we dont live in a very caring society today and as you say some of us have more energy to fight for what we need.
- By graham
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Re: Out to save money ! Forget about Carers needs!!
Mon 31 Dec 2007 20:03The usual utter nonsense from the well named Socialheretic. He really cannot miss a chance for a cheap political point can he ? Care is NOT BASED on one's ability to pay. No way is it as simple as that. It is based on where you live & ( as Valis stated ) who shouts the loudest . On that basis of course Socialheretic should be getting everything he needs. Perhaps he should put more energy shouting louder to the Authorities rather than doing it on these boards to you & me day after day after day !!
- By SocialHeretic
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Re: Out to save money ! Forget about Carers needs!!
Tue 1 Jan 2008 10:44Any social care for either myself or my caree is means tested.
From April , I will join the infamous 24 \ 7 club as mother's current 3 days a week respite care is " re-vised " in accord with the new LA guidelines , and said care will now cost £ 35 per day.
In turn , If I wanted any respite care , my mother would again be means tested as she will be the one needed to be looked after in my absence.
In my case , any " care " comes with a price tag ..... call that political point scoring if one so wishes.
- By morello
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Re: Out to save money ! Forget about Carers needs!!
Tue 8 Jan 2008 10:20Social Care may be means tested , but if one has the ability to pay then in all fairness why not employ somebody yourselves. There are a majority of us with little or no income and no savings, that struggle to cope daily. We dont get care without fighting, for which we are too tired. Instead of moaning, get some help in yourself instead of taking from a sector short in supply for those that do have no choice. What do you want SH Jam on your bread as well, spare a thought for those less fortunate
Mo
- By Tricia
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Re: Out to save money ! Forget about Carers needs!!
Tue 8 Jan 2008 11:53fair point mo
But why should someone who has scrimped and saved all their lives doing without holidays, outtings and other luxiouries many have and then end up not being able to pay for their care?
My parents both did without all their lives so they could afford to put a meal on the table in their later years; including paying their council tax which was over the £1000 per year out of their savings) They never knew what it was like to have a life due to saving every penny. They ended up having to pay for the installation of a stair lift and an ill fitted shower room where as the Jones and Smiths of the world down the road got it put in for free and yet they earned the same income if not more than my parents did.
Carers do need a break who offer 24/7 care and feel they are unable to because the person they are caring refuses to pay for care when others get it for free. So it is those carers who need a break as much as those who have to fight for their breaks.
By the way Every Disabled Child Matters are looking for parents/carers who have experienced problems in not getting the breaks which they need to take their cases to court. If you are a parent/carer of a child or young person and are on a low income (again because it is means tested so sorry if you have any savings again you lose out!) to contact Contact a Family their information will be avaiable on the Contact a family website which can be found if you google it.
If anyone is interested and unable to find the details contact the web management team and they will forward your details to me and I will email you the email which I have received with informatin about parents/carers wanted who are not receiving the breaks which they have been told they need.
- By kerry
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Re: Out to save money ! Forget about Carers needs!!
Tue 22 Jan 2008 17:37Blimey this is all very argumentative innit!
There are obviously many disparities across the board and obviously it all sounds a bit like a postcode lottery to me, with so many different services paid for or not paid for.
Is there not an act that covers the whole of Britain?
Of course its hard to generalize as carers full into so many catogories (whether its spousal care or parental care, young carers etc) and we all have different needs as carers, but I suppose there has to be some sort of limit to what can access free or not?
I suppose we would be considered lucky as we do receive a reasonable amount of help for free, but it has come at a cost of some sort or another: anger, stress, adrenalin, depression.... and so on, before the powers that be finally held their hands up in supplication and said OK HAVE IT, JUST BLOODY HAVE IT!
Then again, the upside is that I wont shut up til i get the last word- My mother always made that sound like an insult, but I'm damn glad I have that fighting spirit in me, as its help me and my family in good stead since having the boys!!!!Anyway stop arguing you guys- we're all in this together !!!!
