Hi i am a widow and I have 2 children a boy and a girl. My son has downs syndrome, is autistic, has hearing and vision impairments and has complex learning needs. From May this year he has been unable to walk and has been in hospital since then. He is soon to be discharged and will now be in a wheelchair. Until now he has lived in his own flat with 24/7 care but now he is having to come back to live with me as there is no suitable accommodation for him.
I am presently sorting out his flat to hand back to the housing association but i am also looking at adapting my home for him to come back to me. I am extremely stressed and trying to find the right care and support for him. My daughter is presently living in Aberdeen.
Marko, this really isn’t the answer, you and going to be worn out very,very quickly.
I have a son with LD, in his own flat with carer support. I’d like to be able to care for him full time, but I just can’t.
He is going to be in an even worse mess when you die or get too ill to care for him.
I would put off handing the keys over for a whle, as then he will have lost any entitlement. Has anyone mentioned NHS Continuing Healthcare to you, 24/7 care if necessary, either in residential care OR his own home, free of charge. Insist they do an assessment for this before he leaves hospital.
" By the book ? "
The BIBLE on hospital discharges :
Being discharged from hospital - NHS
In short … by the book or … NO DISCHARGE !
Also check with housing association if they have any suitable properties that would meet his needs, or that can be adapted.
As much as you love your son and want what is best for him, please please make sure that if you do bring him home that all adaptations are made beforehand, also that the correct care package is in place.
Do not accept verbal ‘promises’. Get everything in writing. Like already said above, adaptations take a while and you need think on whether you can cope in the meantime.
x
As hard as it may seem and despite what the hospital may want, I dont think you’re obliged to have your son come to live with you. Did the doctors say why your son isn’t able to walk. Before he would leave hospital, it’s up to the occupational therapists to assess what aids are necessary and put those in place first. Don’t rush to have your son discharged.