Help & advice please…What steps can one take & who should one turn to for support, to constructively criticise a care manager, resolve problems & keep the care package! The CM in question behaves well in front of other professionals e.g. social workers, but is disrespectful & ‘steamrollers’ when I attempt to explore issues of concern.
I care for my mother in her own home & Mum has a good relationship with most of the carers, but there are on-going issues with carer experience, training & communication (some carers are not fluent in English). Even though it’s been a rocky time since the care package started, starting all over again with another agency feels just too overwhelming. However, I feel I’m being told to ‘put up & shut up’ by the CM & feel intimidated by them & some of the carers. Btw, the CM made a point at the last meeting of stating that she & the new social worker have a very good working relationship which seemed to be inferring ‘he will be one my side’…
I’ve had one of the worse years of my life trying to look after my mother (who has dementia & mobility problems) & cope with the grief following my father’s sudden death last April.
I have experienced severe sleep deprivation & have been mildly depressed most of the time resulting in a lack of confidence. Because of this, I feel taken advantage of by both the CM & some of the carers who have not treated me respectfully.
The only thing I can think of trying is mediation but the CM would have to agree to it. I have thought about putting in a complaint to the CQC but it’s me who’s feels mistreated not my mother.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Hi @DontPanic welcome to the forum. I would contact the carers helpline for more advice and would speak to citizen advice. By the sounds of it the care manager is trying to override any concerns you have and if this person is getting away with it then the workers will try the same tactics. The care manager should see that you are well in your right to speak your own views. I would try contacting the cqc and see if they can advise something. Stand up to the care manager as some think they might be in charge but no squat about doing care jobs as there are some cowboy outfits out there. Maybe speak to advocate or solicitor for some free advice for the 1st hour. If you are still not happy raise the issue with safe guarding team and see what they say. With regards the condition of what your mum has got puts her in a top of very vulnerable person and some will take advantage of it. Good luck and keep us updated, I know other on here will help with further information and advice.
I agree, talk to CQC. My mum did this, in itself extraordinary as she seldom complained to anyone official. They took her complaint seriously, apparently she was one of many. It all ended up on the front of the local paper that CQC had investigated, found a number of issues and were “working with the provider” to resolve things. Mum was happy with the changes. Are you talking to the CM, or emailing? I like to email if possible then there is evidence building up. If carers have poor English is that compromising mum’s care? Keep a diary.
Talk to the Care Quality Commission, I believe they regulate G P practices.
Report it to the CQC. The important thing to remember is you know your mum more than these people do. I don’t know how old you are but you have had your mum since you took your first breaths, you look after her 24-7. There is so much more to caring than just doing things for people, its building a relationship.
These people are paid to care and you are not. You are doing it out of love. You have the upper hand.
Also have you tried to see if you can different carers.
I find Language and cultural differences often are a problem in these settings. I have the same experience with my mum.
Part of her care plan states to prompt her to eat, help her to cook, or to cook for her. This depends on her mental ability and if she is/isn’t experiencing any pain.
Mum says that they are not doing any of this and only opt to force her to cook a proper meal all the time. They keep forcing her to make fresh meals.
I live with a couple of people, and I know food is often an important part of their culture and often spend alot of time cooking elaborate meals.
Since caring for mum I’ve shared alot of 20 minute recipes with her. Simple Chinese chicken curry, stir fry’s, omelettes, the lot. More than often there is enough to cover a few meals. Not every meal has to take three hours every night. Heck this is what I do.
But then again sometimes chicken nuggets, chips and beans is okay too.
I also live with a couple of people who are carers, and honestly they worry me. They are so lazy and dirty. I’m no clean freak, but these people leave prawns on the counter for days, leave taps running and lights on.
Its almost as if some of these care companies are set up just to make money.
This is a tricky one. I found the CQC absolutely hopeless and I have honestly not anybody yet who did find them helpful.
Would you be better speaking to your local authority I wonder? Adult social services.
Been reading @Penny comments and if cqc doesn’t want to know, you could try your mp or am, there is the obsaman but it hit and miss with them. If nothing works out speak to safeguarding and if that fails then the papers.