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Care Opinion

Getting extra support for mum when having a break

Posted By Suki1

"Getting extra support for mum when having a break"

About: Motherwell Locality / Social work services (65+)

(as a carer),

I care for my mum but also don’t keep in good health.  I have chronic fatigue.  

My mum receives a health and social care package as she has mobility issues, broken her hip recently, been in and out of hospital many times over past 2.5 years, takes many UTI’s, diabetic, high blood pressure, she is in her late 80's.  She has just come home from hospital and she has a home care package however I am due to go away for 2 nights as a much needed break and social work will not provide an additional visit to support my mum.

I have to stay with my mum often as she lives alone and whilst I am happy to provide unpaid care I really do worry about the effect on my own health and wellbeing if I am unable to access a short break. It is not a break if I am left worrying about my mum.

Mum is prone to falling a lot and I’m concerned she will try and walk to the toilet unaided.  When mum was in rehab beginning of the year, OT advised that she should not to go to the toilet on her own.  You can imagine my concern when I’m away trying to unwind, for 2 days, about mum.

I’m also going away the following week for 3 nights with my husband and social work will not provide additional support for mum on those dates either.

I was only wanting the extra support for mum so I can get a break.

I understand that I’m entitled, by law, under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016, to get the right support for mum for me to get a break through my local authority.  But, in my case, I feel my rights have not been met.

Anxiety also affects my chronic fatigue and not being able to relax when away, will only add to my health issues.

I would be interested in your comments.

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Responses

Response from Patricia Kearns, North Lanarkshire Health & Social Care Partnership 2 years ago
Patricia Kearns
North Lanarkshire Health & Social Care Partnership

Submitted on 11/06/2021 at 14:18
Published on Care Opinion at 14:18

Hello Suki1

It's good to hear that you're planning to have a couple of short breaks, and I truly hope that you manage to have a peaceful and relaxing time when you're away. I understand though that this will be so difficult if you're constantly worrying about your Mum.

As an unpaid carer, your have a legal entitlement to an Adult Carer Support Plan which should detail your own circumstances and how your caring role impacts on your own well-being and day to day life. It should also support you to have a life alongside your caring role, and help to improve your own health and well-being. An aspect of this might be whether support should be provided to help you get a break from caring.

There are carer focused organisations within North Lanarkshire who should be able to help you. Lanarkshire Carers are commissioned to help complete Adult Carer Support Plans if the carer's needs are thought to be low to moderate. The local social work office assume responsibility to do this if your carer needs are substantial or critical. The contact number for Lanarkshire Carers in North Lanarkshire is: 01236 755550. The office number for their Hamilton office is: 01698 428090.

Lanarkshire Carers staff are experts in their field, and very skilled in the work that they do. I am very confident that they will be able to guide you through this process. If however, you would prefer to contact social work, could you email me with your address and I'll ensure that you reach the right person who will initiate this process with you. My email address is kearnsp@northlan.gov.uk

I hope that this is helpful, and please contact me should you require any assistance.

Best regards

Patricia

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