What help is available....

[meriad]

you may remember my posting about my neighbour who never has a window open.

She messaged me earlier this morning asking if I could go over there as she'd slipped and couldn't get up again; thankfully working from home means I could go straight there. Crikey her place is a mess. I ended up feeding her animals and doing the dishes that had accumulated - and managed to convince her to have the windows open on latch setting But... she's really not feeling well and hasn't eaten properly in over a week; she's been living off short bread, some grapes (I think) and some cup a soups as a result she's feeling incredibly weak and wobbly. I made her phone the GP whilst I was there so she now has a phone appointment at 2.30 so hopefully she'll get some medical help.

But the state of the house is dire, her own personal hygiene is shocking and she needs help somehow. So where does one start. She doesn't want help but she's not able to cope. Is there a department or agency I can call to raise concerns so they can go round and assess? I am very certain that she hasn't had a shower / bath in ages - she physically cannot get into the bath and as her shower is in the bath she wouldn't have been able to use that either.

My concern is that whoever I contact will try take her animals away and that is something I have to avoid at all costs. Those animals are her life and as much as she doesn't look after herself, she looks after them (admittedly I'd do things different, but they know no different and are happy in their own way).

Any ideas? Because I'm stumped.

[meriad]

To add that I've just called the GP surgery and voiced my concerns with them as well; so they have made a note and hopefully the GP will ask a few more questions at 2.30

Chances are this will totally p*ss Trish off, but so be it.

[Ally]

You've done the absolute right thing Ria.
What a kind and caring person you are.

Trish sounds in a bad place and maybe you doing this will see her get the help she needs.

I'm proud to call you a friend, Ria. xxxx

[JanB]

Well done you xx

I would think that the doctor/health centre will be able to help, whatever agency is needed, I have no idea, but hopefully they will take it from there.

[miasmum]

there should be a local Adult Social Care number Ria. BUT and this is paramount, if she has capacity and she refuses help there is nothing anyone can do.

I had to do the same for patient last week. He is an alcoholic, he lives in squalor, he has constant diarrhoea (enough said) which is why he frequently gets carted off to A&E where he discharges himself. His family are concerned but I referred to the Intensive Care Team, because he is a frequent A&E attender, they went round and he sent them away. Nothing more we can do

[saundra]

I would imagine that social service would become involved
But given the state of social care at the moment it would be dire
A very awkward situation in afraid
As mm said she would probably refuse help because of her animals

[meriad]

BUT and this is paramount, if she has capacity and she refuses help there is nothing anyone can do.

She does have capacity and she will refuse..... It's just so darn frustrating

I'll put in one more call with AGE UK just to bounce ideas off them and then at least I know I've done what I can (for now)

[cruiser2]

As most of you know I live on my own.
I try to keep the house clean and tidy. At the moment I do not need help.I would accept it if I thought I needed it.

It must be saddening for meriad finding her neighbour will not accept help. I think it will be a case of her being taken into hospital
for treatment otherrwise she will just die.

[saundra]

Age UK are useless ria
Only want money of you for insurance and holidays
Good luck I agree cruiser if been on my own 12years
Some days are not good especially winter

[jenniren]

What a dilemma Ria. Sadly Shell is right, if she refuses help nothing can be done. When my Mother lived with us I found the local branch of Age UK were very helpful. Not so sure how effective they are online.