This year has seen enquiries to our helpline rise significantly to a level which will become unsustainable if it continues unfortunately. Consequently I have taken the decision to hire another member of staff who will commit a few hours a week to emails so that we can continue to respond to people living with dementia as quickly as we can.
What is the reason for the increase in calls/emails? My theory is that the more pressure the system is under the more people are turning to dementia charities to assist them: this year my husband and I had an epic battle with a local authority regarding my mother in law when her money ran out completely due to inaction from social services. Despite me emailing them in June to alert them to this situation we found ourselves no further on in November when a continuing care assessment was undertaken (which I knew she would fail – holding up the process further). Despite knowing the law inside out I could not force social services to hurry things along although in the end (probably due to our dogged tenacity and threats of complaints here there and everywhere) they agreed to fund her in the current home where she has lived for one year. She is still to receive a repayment to bring her back to the £23,250 threshold however.
This experience demonstrated that social services are drastically understaffed in certain areas and the stress this causes is indescribable because we have no control over it. Time and time again people living with dementia feel (rightly) that they are at the back of the queue in terms of government priorities (although one could argue this in many arenas – SEND for children is also the topic of a Panorama programme with the same issues our client group faces – lack of funding and poor communication regarding vulnerable people).
Apologies for ending the year with a negative Blog but this is the reality of the system we are living in – on a positive note I am planning to start a petition to force Parliament to debate at least one of the many issues we encounter in the hopes that we can effect some change. Details will follow in the New Year.
Thankyou so much to everyone who donated in gratitude – it is really encouraging not just to have raised just over £4000 that way this year but also to read the comments that accompany the donations, it does keep me going! And to the wonderful Admiral Nurses who go above and beyond to provide practical and emotional support to our clients. Working alongside them is such a privilege for me.
Take care everyone and have a happy Christmas however you are celebrating it and/or recharging your batteries.
Sara and Trustees
