Adult Social Care?

Oh dear Lily that's not good you must be so worried. I would certainly get some help and I would take both those ideas you had. Definitely reach out to as many agencies as you can. I'm sure someone on here with better current knowledge of services will be along soon. I hope you get some help quickly.

Lily, your first port of call has to be your GP. Don't tell anyone you're going - it's the only way to stay in complete control of your own life. Your GP will offer you some ideas and should also contact the right bodies to give you the help you need. Don't put your home up for sale yet - you may well find that some home help will enable you to carry on for a good while longer. Console yourself with the knowledge that your head is together enough for you to post something on this site! Good luck, I hope you feel stronger soon.

Age Concern might be useful. So sad to read what you’re going thriugh

Contact AGE UK they are so helpful with adult social care and support services… they were able to sort invaluable advice for myself last year and not at all judgemental 🤞🏻

Dear Lily, contact your local council’s Adult Social Services and ask them if they could come and do an assessment of your needs. Depending on your financial situation and needs, they should be able to offer you some practical assistance or at least refer you to local agencies who can help you. Most AgeUK branches also offer a decluttering service for a small payment where someone will come round to help you sort your house out if you do want to move. Please don’t go straight to private agencies as you won’t know if their people are Police checked. Also, if you do decide to move, why not look for supported housing. You would also be able to live independently but will have a warden on site and probably not have to worry about gardening etc. Good luck

Firstly Lily, congratulations on acknowledging there is a problem, that is generally the first stage of dealing with it.

I would suggest a friendly chat with your local AgeConcern branch; they are helpful and non-judgemental.

Good luck as you start on your journey, and do pop on here for advice, support, commiserations or whatever you need.

you have taken the first step saying to us you need help. as suggested go to your GP tell him everything or if you find it hard write it all down first ask for an extended apt.
contact the Age concern they may know of things they can do to help you or charities in your area that can help. places like CAB or library can be full of useful notices.

The OP doesn't sound actually ill. Surely best not to take up GP time for what sounds an essentially social problem. Social services should be first post of call? Either that or discuss with Age Concern?

Not a GP matter, but definitely Adult Services in LA, or Age Concern.
How stressful this must all be for you.

I think Age UK rather than social services. I had awful experiences of social workers when my mother had dementia.

Social services are under great pressure but they are the budget holders for social care. There is great variability between areas of course. My experience with them in relation to my mother was fine. Not brilliant but certainly they did everything expected of them but no more.

Definitely contactcAgeUk. They will give you advice but can also advocate on your behalf.

And, if the people ith whom I work are anything to go by, they are all lovely - understanding and caring.

We were downsizing last year, so I notified our children "Come get the things you want." And they did. I then scheduled a mover & estate liquidator & cleaners while I looked for housing. My husband is homebound and it was all on me. Although I'd been looking for a year, nothing had been "the one," I found a lovely home, the movers came in, the liquidator disposed of what I didn't want, and the cleaners cleaned the old house up, then it was listed. Literally in 30 days we were out. I felt like I was living on autopilot some of the time. But it worked out beautifully. I wish you the best.

Age Concern is now called Age UK, to clear up any confusion that may arise.

Definitely speak to Age UK or Citizen's Advice. They will be able to advise you about the best people to approach and what to ask for.

Lily - take a deep breath - you are in panic mode. Don’t worry about the mess in your house - that’s easily sorted. Get a cleaner in for a few hours. Get rid of what you don’t need or want.
Yes, Age Concern are a a great place to start. They are kind and considerate. Good Luck !

well done for putting boundaries around unhelpful people, the boyfriend sounds awful. I was a local authority social worker for many years and whilst they are a great service they are overstretched at the moment and you might find yourself at the back of the queue, lots of people needing help to leave hospital might take priority. Age Concern are a much better bet because they have more time, social workers and GP's are tied up with more complex cases since the cutbacks. You sound like you have a great head on you although you are understandably stressed at the moment.

You have already had a lot of advice so all I will say I do feel for you and good luck, you should be able to get a positive advice

I want to add my voice to those saying please take some of the good advice given here. You are seriously over burdened and I hope that things improve for you soon.

I remember you writing some time ago. I'm delighted you have kept the boyfriend out! Good for you.

This shows how strong you really are! Do not doubt yourself.
Keeping fingers crossed for a speedy and positive resolution.
Good advice above!

Luckygirl3

Not a GP matter, but definitely Adult Services in LA, or Age Concern.
How stressful this must all be for you.

Actually it can be a GP matter, as they can refer to their social prescriber, who will work with OP and find the right people to help her along too. That is exactly what they are there for.

If there us such a thing attached to her GP practice. They are not that common. Social services much more likely to be best port of call

I suppose it depends where you live, but they are very common in Devon Surgeries and really encouraged by the DCC/DDC and the Government.