"My mum's tenancy"

This post is about my mums experience in Scotland over the last 3 years with Alcohol Related Brain Damage (ARBD) services, and the lack of suitable services available. 

My mum was diagnosed with ARBD over three years ago. She lacks capacity and I have a guardianship order with Edinburgh City Council. Before this I was a young carer for her and had to take on caring responsibilities at the age of 15. 

After my dad’s suicide my mums drinking became progressively worse. She was drinking about 3 bottles of wine a day and became severely malnourished (she weighed 5 stone at her worst).  

The condition can be likened to dementia. Her short-term memory is severely impaired and she will require additional support for the rest of her life. However if she remains abstinent, which we have managed to achieve for the past 6 months whilst in Loretto Fullarton, the condition will not progress. 

Mum has been regaining her independence at her current care home – Loretto Fullarton - in Glasgow.   She was granted a two year tenancy agreement which started 2 years ago in November  which has now expired. 

In Loretto, the residents have their own kitchen facilities, which has greatly improved her recovery and she has been able to participate in the community. 

Despite the considerable progress she has made there, the Glasgow commissioner has notified me she must leave within 12 weeks, which will be mid January. 

This is a huge problem as there are a complete lack of ARBD specialised services in Scotland. 

Indeed, due to the lack of facilities, my mum was moved out of Edinburgh – her hometown – after she spent 18 months in Penumbra Milestone, a step-down unit from hospital for people with an ARBD diagnosis that is only meant to last 12 weeks. 

Despite us both agreeing that Loretto is best suited for her, we are now forced to look for another care home, something I have already done after she had to leave Milestone. I am already aware of what services are available (I have visited 10 places) and I know Loretto is much better for her progression than any other current options. 

The vast majority of placements we have found are for individuals with a variety of different conditions (mental health, learning disabilities, schizophrenia etc.) – many of which permit alcohol consumption or have a minimum age of 65 – and the facilities do not promote independence or community integration. 

None of them are suitable for the needs specific to the way the condition affects my mum.  Specifically, I think my mum would continue to maintain her independence if she is supported to continue to abstain from alcohol whilst living as independently as possible.  I would therefor ask that her tenancy is continued in Loretto Fullarton.