Social care and me

As we go into lockdown number 2, I couldn’t be more thankful for my wonderful/amazing carers and Personal Assistants.

Getting the right care package in the first place is very difficult and it certainly doesn’t land on your lap especially if the County Council are picking up the tab. I have two double handed calls seven days a week and for four days a week I have a Personal Assistant (PA) for eight hours each day. All these services are provided following an assessment by the Social Worker.

My Domiciliary care (Dom care) was quite easy as I need to be hoisted and I am unable to help by moving myself. The decision to have two calls each day and to be double handed ones was not difficult.

 https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=17G5kLUU0fxmmfemt4eIAOhBIkTGqqBo5

 https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Sc_9-FO7QwU6Go7HqDbCPLHNU06YBvpg

With regards to my PAs my Social Worker had to write a full blown report as to why I should have them. Several months later it was agreed. Thank God it was, finally it meant my husband could go back out to work and we had some money coming into the house. I would say that getting the right PA is the most difficult, it is crucial to know what you are wanting from them.

When I first started having a PA she was self employed and it worked well as I had only been out from Hospital for three months and really all I did was sleep, I suppose it was more of a traditional sitting call. Since then I have had two Companies provide my PAs all have been great. Unfortunately the Company before last decided to concentrate on supporting a special needs day centre so my Social Worker found my current Company. I have to say I have never been happier. They really get me now I am back to feeling more like my old self, I requested PAs that would basically be an extension of me. For instance I cannot type due to the lack of hand movement (voice recognition is not the best, probably because my voice is not the best) so who do you think is typing all these posts for my blog?! I have been doing my fundraiser for the Chilterns MS Centre and I couldn’t done that without my PAs. They drive my van, they update Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and read my emails as well as send them. I really couldn’t do without them so they really are angels, they do have names though Maria and Helen.

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1m6Pj4KtLy5W1mBLYEiWxtQUzDp5Xrn88
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1FxKWmgrm1xylA5yiDAWdej8dxW-kVk2G

Now we are going through another lockdown all my carers carry on every day coming into see me providing personal care and support work, all through the Pandemic they have been right by my side. Not one of their clients throughout the year have been diagnosed with Covid so I do feel safe going into this current four week lockdown.

Top marks for carers and PAs we would be lost without them.

 

THANK YOU! ❤️

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