Awww Cologne How awful for you Is it a private firm? Is so can you not ask to speak to a manager? 

Beat me to it. There should be a figure in management who has your plan. They need to come out to discuss it with you. (Been there)

Complain as much as you can cologne,it's a bloody disgrace!Sadly it's the way things are now in Dave's "we are all in this together" world.

Cologne - i worked (briefly) for a company just like that.

They gave us no travel time and i was rushing from one person to the next.

Info was scant and i basically winged it using common sense til i'd found something better.

 

They will be making a fortune out of you and another company would love to take you on.

So just tell them you wish to be taken off their books - but make sure you have another care company to take over.

If you have been happy with said company in the past then tell them you are thinking about leaving them and watch how high they jump to keep you.

Cologne. We have just had the same trouble with my mum and her care company. Please ring your social worker the first thing in  the morning and tell them that you need to change companies these are pretty useless, stating what they have done/not done, and that the stress they cause you makes you more ill.

Like Renton says, they get paid loads of money and the care companies will be fighting over you.

Its Saint ferchristsake!!!

Col......and what everyone else has said^^^^^^^

You'll always be Renton to us.

 

Col, as others have said, you need to talk to a manager.

Make sure you write down every single thing you are unhappy about, so you don't forget anything.

And get rid of the ciggies, or you'll feel worse later on.

We formulated a plan, but most of them don't bother to read it. I've spoken to the management at least once every week for about a month. 2 managers in that time. The company is nationwide and has just been taken over by an even bigger one. They do not care, they make money. The carers and, to some extent, the office workers, can't really change anything because the drive for profit is the name of the game. My biggest problem is the frustration of it all. I just want to get up and shove them politely but firmly out the door and do it myself, but I can't. I wouldn't starve to death because my daughter cooks all my meals for days in advance and, in between losing my breath and getting it back, I can just about do it, but in the moment I feel I'm drowning in untidyness and mess. If my daughter didn't do the cleaning it would never get done (it's in the plan), nobody ever goes near my bathroom. I could go on. I feel very sorry for elderly folk who have to put up with this and don't have the nerve to speak up.

Thanks everyone.

Cologne this is SAINT ... and from direct experience i tell you that you can leave this company - you have a choice - they don't own you.

Contact your care manager and do not be put off.

Many companies exist - you choose, ok.

 

Col - I have no advice (no choice here - you get the council care service and that's it)  They didn't look at care plans either I have to say and most of them did as little as possible.   Hope you get it sorted 

 

 

I agree with everyone else Col, I would definitely talk to your social worker or social services, even ring CAB and ask them you rights...its not good enough 

yep. No choice. In fairness to the carers, they don't get travel time - my dad had three 20 minute slots per day which actually involved 5-10  minutes at most in his house . There was a lot of absence, so staff changed on a regular basis. My dad had a catheter , and a lot of the temp staff weren;t catheter -trained .  Some carers were great, others were lazy gits to be frank .. probably much like any other workplace . 

You're right , cologne, it's driven by profit. Bottom line is though that care plans should be adhered to , and that's where social workers should be able to help. Ask for a review and let them know your concerns. Make sure they set a date for a follow up to the review and keep notes of any issues that arise - log it all ! 

I'm really sad to read this, it's a disgrace what's been going on! I hope the advice offered here has given you an idea of what you can do and I do hope your situation is soon improved have a chat with your daughter and see what your options are

I'm sorry that you need a carer but I don't understand.  You complain that nobody reads your careplan and then complain and ask someone to leave for doing exactly that.

Get rid, Col.

Sod their excuses - they're not offering you the service that you need or should be receiving.  I mean, seriously...they can't even do a basic clean of your home?   That's disgraceful.

The careplan says to do what is needed, encompassing cooking, cleaning, feeding the cats. It does not specify whether or not to do that in the morning or in the evening. I felt bullied in my own home tonight by somebody who shouted at me and told me that she would be complaining about me.

It's not easy cosy. I'm in Devon and there aren't that many companies. I pay, but I get a bit back from the state, so I think my hands are tied.

Bummer.

Is there no way you could employ someone local to do the domestic work and get the necessary 'pro' in for your medical needs?  I'd be inclined to see if the powers that be could be a bit more flexible in such circumstances without it costing you personally.

COLOGNE have you heard about Direct payment?

Its where you choose how the money you are given for your care is spent.

 

https://www.gov.uk/apply-direct-payments

worth doing !

Awwww Col that's really awful. No way should you be made to feel like that 

 

I have no experience in this field but I really hope some of the advice ^^^ is helpful. If you're paying out of your own pocket - might it be a an idea to advertise privately for a home help through the local paper? Maybe there's someone who could do with a few bob extra - a nice caring/friendly person who's not an agency jobsworth?

 

I really don't know - maybe I'm living in cloud cuckoo land. I really do hope you get it sorted soon though - not nice at all having to have strangers in your house - a lot worse if they're not nice

Sorry to hear you having a bit of a hard time Cologne. As others have said, raise your issues with the Manager, you have a right of care and it should be given with civility . If you dont get on with one particular carer you are well within your rights to tell the Manager you dont want him/her in your home. To feel bullied in your home is just not on. 
No more ciggies !!!   

Bumping this so you don't miss it

Its appalling how you've been treated Cologne  Sorry to hear it.

Perhaps, instead of verbally complaining to management try to obtain an email address for them. Then there's an official record of problems you've reported to them, and also their response [or lack of].

 

Again I'm sorry you were treated so uncaringly and disrespectfully within your own home. That's distressing in itself 

I've spoken to them this morning. They are going to come here in the next week to have a conflab. I have asked not to send yesterday's carer again and they've promised that. We'll see what, if anything, will change.

 

Thank you all very much for advice and friendly words.

Best wishes Cologne - its just a shame you have to fight to get what should already be there.

Keep us informed

Hopefully you won't see that unpleasant individual again Cologne. I hope things get better for you. Keep us posted 

Glad it's starting to get sorted out Cologne

Just coming in to this late but I'm glad they're coming out to see you and discuss with you.  It's disgusting the way you're being treated 

 

 

Can I just make a suggestion that between now and then you make a list or bullet points of what you consider they are not doing and how you want it changed.  The reason for this is that if you were to just fire from the hip so to speak, you might forget important details and it also gives you time to rationally (not that I think you're irrational but sometimes when you're annoyed you're not thinking straight) place out in writing what you want and how they must change things.  You could present them with this list as one, it will save you from having to talk as much given that your breathing is not good and two, they will have it in writing exactly what is needed so there can be no misunderstanding (keeping a copy for yourself of course)

 

Just a suggestion but I hope it all goes well for you 

Good advice, Pengy.

Hope you can get things sorted out, Col.

Cologne, I'm sorry to read of the trouble you are having. I have very recently worked for a care company and am very aware of problems similiar to yours and they are not acceptable. Just because you make a contribution to your care and the state pays some also, it doesn't mean you're not entitled to the best care possible. The company is on a money making mission and they are supposed to provide a service which is being paid for, by who is irrelevent. The carers are paid to be in your home for the alloted time - it's not your problem if they are running late or whatever, you are entitled to that service and to be kept informed of any changes  pertaining to your care. Carers are coming into your home and should be respectful of that. Carers are supposed to be given tavelling time and 'flexi-time' (e.g. half hour either side of your actual call time). My company was recently inspected by the CQC who look through the computer systems to ensure this is happening and that carers are not 'double booked'. If I were in your situation (and I do advise clients to do this), I would ring Social Services and complain to my Care Manager and request to change companes as is your right. If my concerns were not addressed I would contact the CQC (you can do this online).

Cologne, I do get out of my pram over poor care so I apologise if I am ranting, but you are in an uncomfortable situation where you feel your hands are tied (in your own home!!), but think of those dementia clients who are also reliable on carers to maintain their health and safety and may also be receiving a poor service and be unaware and/or unable to express themselves due to their reduced mental capacity. To not provide basic needs is unacceptable but to compromise your health and safety is absolutely appalling. Remember that lady in her 90's some months back who was found murdered in her bed one morning by her carer? It is highly possible that this was due to her keysafe being left open as there were no signs of a break in. Fortunately, a very rare case and I'm not trying to be dramatic or frighten you, but you are entitled to peace of mind each morning and evening after your carer has left. They probably record in your book at the end of each visit 'left safe'.  Obviously not if your keysafe is left open or your door unlocked.

I have worked as a carer and also in the community as a care quality officer so I have seen the job from a few angles as well as doing the 'out of hours service'. Please don't accept poor care, Cologne, you are worth more than that. Good luck with your (justified) complaints, I hope they are addressed and the service improves for you.

 

*steps off of soap box*

Great advice San...Col, sorry to hear to had to go through that, it is just not acceptable. I hope there is happy resolution to this, Take care.

Thanks Pengy, San and Senora.  

I hope we can iron things out on Thursday. It's frustrating because I don't feel like an old fogy. My daughter used to work in care and she said, me as a client, she would have looked forward to because there is no bandaging, changing nappies or bags, washing or toileting. All they have to do is make some brekkie in the morning, do the dishes from the night before, look out for the kittens, open the curtains and make a cup of coffee, in the evening it's warming something my daughter cooked and maybe brushing the floors, cats again, nothing much really.

San, I just feel I have to address your post. You are so right with everything you say. I've always been a hand on person in my life and I still feel like that person, I just can't quite behave like it anymore because I lose my breath. I feel like screaming sometimes, so I'm very proud of my calm disposition.

San speaks so much sense there Col, it's so sad that people who are unable to do the things they want/need to are treated this way, the worst part is they/you are paying loads for it all too!

 

The keysafe thing is really bad..... The only time people have a keysafe fitted is when they live alone and it's difficult to answer the door, in most cases that's immobility (i know in you're case there's more to it) So for keys to be left dangling outside your door over night for anyone to access is just ridiculous.... it's just not on.

 

I hope after speaking to the office today you get somewhere and if you don't maybe you could get one of your family to make an appointment (or better still get someone to be at the meeting that's been set up)

 

Another point San made up there, it's not just you that's being cared for by these lazy arsed people (i know its only some of them who are like that) so even if that person doesn't come to see you again they will most likely be assigned to people more vulnerable who won't/can't complain.... it's quite sad tbh.

 

I really hope you get sorted Cologne as it doesn't sound very nice for you at times. 

You are still that same person inside, Cologne, and should still be treated with respect and dignity. Anyone visiting your home to deliver care should be mindful of your breathlessness and your care plan should state that you are unable to manage some tasks due to your physical problems which is why you are having carers.

You are doing well staying calm (I'm probably more angry about it than you are!! ) but please don't let the situation make you resort to smoking again. Your health is way more important than they are.

I hope your meeting goes well. If possible, have a family member there who can also speak on your behalf - care companies take more note if there is an angry relative present - and try harder to please if they know the client has back up.

I'll keep looking in to see how you're getting on