We have just experienced Care ( a oxymoron ) in the Community. We had a lovely company caring for our 95 year old FIL ( our 6th and last oldie, to be still alive) but they closed.
He was taken on by another firm a couple of weeks ago, Recommended to us by the area Adult Social services.
My BIL lives about 12 miles away ( he is chronically ill) but because of the behaviour of this disgusting Care company, had heroically been visiting his Father every day.
However, he was able to have a Saturday off, because one of my sons ( a Doctor ) and his wife ( A health visitor ) were travelling over 100 miles to visit their Grandad.
When they arrived at 1.30 pm, the curtains were drawn and they found their GD still in bed, sodden wet and hungry, as no one had come since the previous evening. We were all incandescent with fury. How can a company operate with no mechanism in place to notify anyone that a carer, hadn’t turned up ? My son phoned them and their reply was at the best nonchalant. We have reported them.
I then interested myself in my FILs care. I researched a care company ( it had four stars.)in the area that acts independently of the Social services, to find out their rates. They charge £27 an hour but only do hourly visits.
Multiplied that by 4 a day, multiplied by 7 days a week = £756 a week. This is only for care in the home, no food, no heat, and no laundry or clothes. The Adult Social services doesn’t use them as they are deemed too expensive !
We have children and hope to leave them something, but we will also need pots of money so that we don’t fall into the hands of cowboys and are assured of getting the best care.
Many Care companies are closing. The poor in England are really * f***ked. The super rich are fine. We are in the middle, range...just very comfortable. . It’s is absolutely scary, as without money and family to protect you, gawd help you.
Personally I intend to commit Suicide. We have families who are doctors and have told us how to do it painlessly.
Seeing so many old close family go through the ‘ end game ‘ is depressing. And we are a resourceful, well off family, full of Doctors and professionals. God help the family without the intellect or resources to fight-for their vulnerable old.
I can’t see it getting any easier in the future.