people who don't get back to you!

[Gemini]

As many of you know my sister is in residential care.
She is in a bungalow with others, who need 24 hour care/ supervision. Sadly S, a lovely lady I have known since she was 10, died a few months ago. C, a man with Downs unfotunately had to be moved to somewhere more suitable when his dementia really took hold. This left my sister, plus 2 men - J and D, in a large purpose built bunglaow for 5 residents, plus overnight carers.

Now the 3 of them are to be moved somewhere else. Obviously there will be meeting to keep the families informed .Someone phoned my mother ( next of kin, so first port of call) and arranged a meeting. I wish mum had asked them to ring me, but she didn't and a date and time was arranged. This is a date when I have 2 of my GG all day, so it won't work. Mum didnt have the persons name, but did have her number. I gather she is part of the social worker team of a nearby town, from the answerphone message I heard.
I phoned yesterday and left a message with my phone number.No response. I phoned and did the same again today.
Why hasn't she got back to me?! This is so rude and unprofessional. I am fuming!
I will try again tomorrow and if I don't speak to her I will have to go to the Wilberforce Trust directly and tell them my problem . I don't have time for this, and shouldn't have to chase, in my time and at my expense, someone whose job it is to speak to me!!!!!
Rant over.

[aggie]

Most unprofessional ! Poor Mum , she must feel she has let you down , but really not her fault either

[Nanto2girls]

Only last week someone from the doctors surgery was supposed to ring mam with her warfarin results.
Mam rang them again, and was told someone would get back to her that day.Needless to say they didn't.
I ended up ringing for the results, told them I would hang on for the results, as mam had been on antibiotics,and this can effect your warfarin dosage.

[Plantaholic]

Not good enough Nanto. Our surgery doesn't do tests for warfarin, I go to a hospital and have a prick on my thumb and they have the result straight away and adjust your dose accordingly.

[Oma]

It's rudeness Gem no excuse for that, even if busy someone should at least acknowledge your message . It's a stressful time for you to start with without having to chase them up .xx

[Glammanana]

Very unprofessional imo,this is how cases get missed then you get the excuse that they knew nothing about it very bad management on their behalf,I hope you get somewhere today Gems.

[Gemini]

Thanks everyone.
She got back to me this morning, before I had the chance to try her again. She was apologetic but didn't actually explain why it took her so long to get back to me! She sounded so pleasant and charming, I was completely disarmed and have forgiven her! Meeting rearranged.

It does seem a too common occurrence though, people not returning calls.

[Daisy]

Gem - I'm playing Devil's Advocate a bit here, but the social worker concerned might have been dealing with an urgent issue or crisis . I know it's no consolation to you or your Mum and I can imagine your frustration, and I'm glad she's now phoned you and apologised. Glad she's been forgiven. xx

Is your sister aware of the situation and that she's likely to be moved? Major changes like this are very worrying for everyone concerned - the residents themselves and their families. I do hope it's soon sorted out and your sister is ok. xx

[Gemini]

Daisy, my sister would be totally unaware of these plans. Once she had moved she would certainly know, and as she is blind and has lived there for over 20 years, we have to consider her safely in getting around within a new environment after all this time. D and J are wheelchair bound and sighted. J will know the most about the upcoming changes I suspect, but none of them are able to fully realise or be prepared for it.
So it's up to all of us to ensure this move is for the best.

[ZIZI]

Gem wishing you the best of luck. Hope it all goes well x

[Clover]

Perhaps I've missed something here but was wondering why two new residents can't be found to move in with your sister and J and D? If carers are in place surely they would be able to integrate two new residents?

[Plantaholic]

Very upsetting for your family Gemini, hope your sister doesn't find it too upsetting.

[Gemini]

Clover, that is what we presumed would happen, and what we would prefer. However, C was moved some time ago, and S died this summer ( both much missed) No one new has been brought in to fill the spaces.
Hopefully we will understand why when we go to the meeting next week.

[Daisy]

Gem - it seems to be a very complicated process to 'fill' empty places in residential settings. I know of another family who's daughter's residential house still isn't fully occupied despite everything being in place. I do think though that a lot of care has to be taken to bring together people with complex needs who can live harmoniously together, especially if they are unable to voice their feelings clearly. I do hope for a good outcome from your meeting next week. xx

[Gemini]

That's right Daisy. A lot of care goes into getting the right mix of residents. All 3 of them are very vulnerable in their own ways (The men being totally immobile and my sister being unable to see. Anyone mobile who had any hint of aggression would not work with that group.