"Improved communicatoion"

Communication has definitely improved

The best thing about how I was treated – is being listened to. This is important because as we age people believe we are less sensible and as a result can be treated as if we do not have much common sense. This has left me feeling frustrated. I believe I communicate quite well. In the early years of contact with services (Social Work) - approximately 2 – 3 years ago, I would call to speak to someone and be told I will get someone to call you back – and this call never came. This resulted in me having to chase staff to speak to them, as return calls never happened. I remember a particularly difficult week that I spent waiting on staff and the GP calling me back. I found this frustrating.

I am pleased to say that this has improved. Lisa, Social Worker has provided me with a direct telephone number and her email and this change has ensured that I always get a response. I will send her emails saying please call and she will. I appreciate that everyone is busy but it takes a couple of minutes to be provided with an update or to be emailed to say there is no update. Communication is essential even if you do not have an answer.

Direct Payment

Social Work assessed us for a direct payment. I want to feedback that was a long drawn out process which took months. This was supposed to help my wellbeing but I found that the length of time was adversely impacting my wellbeing. I thought about giving up and I am glad I did not. This is all in place and running well. I want to thank April who I have found is exceptionally supportive when I have contacted her relating to direct payment queries. She is lovely. She is an extra support to me.

Adaptations to property – shower/ ramp

We have been used to a quick response from the Parkinson’s service when visited by professionals – such as the Physiotherapist and Speech & Language Therapist. My husband required our shower to be adapted so he could access this. I had to wait from August to November to be assessed and was advised that if this application was approved the works would not likely commence until June. We were advised that this could be done privately. I realise there are financial pressures for the council, I watch the news, but it was now that we needed help and not wait for 8 months. I put the shower in privately to improve the quality of my husband’s life.

My husband was assessed by the Community Occupational Therapist for a ramp, without this I could not get him out of the house. On initial meeting I was advised that the ramp would not meet Angus Council building regulations. The OT advised that this could be done privately. When the site visit was undertaken, I was informed that the gradient was not a problem and plans were drawn up and sent to Angus Council. I had to answer additional questions about how this would benefit my husband. This process was a fight, but Angus Council decided that they would install the ramp. You have no idea how much this has benefitted our lives. I want to say that despite a rocky start Delvina, OT has been very supportive. My husband’s quality of life has improved as a result.