The care package

I finally contacted the social worker, and we arranged a meeting on the ward with Edna this afternoon. It was an interesting 45 minutes, To start off duirng the phone conversation it turned out they were unaware of the diagnosis. It also turned out niether they NOR Fosters reralised the medication was a patch - which is more complicated than the oral medication they thought she was having. So the plan for Fosters staff to prompt Edna to take her meds from the blister pack (whihc hasn't up till now anyway) is doomed from the start. However apart from that, I think the care package WILL work.

The Fosters staff will still f=do the morning call, doi her shopping, and do her laundry. She has alos agreed (for now) that they will do ALL her laundry. She will have meals on wheels. Then social services will vist at 2,00 and at 7,30 to check she is OK. They can also make an evening snack for her although she is very resitant to that idea.

I think its the best I am going to get for now. The package doesn't involcve me at all. Social services will do all three calls at the weekend when Fosters staff do not work which is a big improvemnet on what happenend after her discharge from West Heath - which seems like years ago but was just over 8 weeks ago.

I keep emphasising to Edna that she needs the help to nake sure she doesn't bounce straight back into hospital. I hope that will be all the incentive needed to get her to co-operate. If she doesn't I beleive Fosters WILL get stroppy with her and make acceptance of the care a condition of her continuing tenancy.

Edna ewmians to be convinced that she can't manage all her medication ecpecially the patch. But I think the social worker is going to get more details about that so the package may have to be altered to take account of that.

I asked the sister if she thought the pacth had made a difference. She though Edna was nuc less delusional - unti I told her ablout the baby in the cot in the corner, and the show the staff put on in the ward one evening where they all dressed up. I am still concerend that she seems so lucid other people are not taking the problems seriously. But there are rules about the Rivastigmine having to be administered by a carer. So I donlt they can avoid the issue. If they can well we will just have to see how it goes.

I feel very down, I am trying to look on the positive side of things - but have little faith things will work out. I am sure the care will be available - I just can't see Edna accepting it.