If there are Virtual Wards at home then surely carers under those circumstances are Virtual Nurses and entitled to pay, holiday, time off?!?
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@bowlingbun I wish!!! Dream on. Remember Victoria’s experience last year? I would fight very hard NOT to have E back in these circumstances and in some ways, it is a huge blessing he did not agree to the hospital bed as any Physio who came round would agree that the recliner chair in the lounge is not a viable option hopefully, as a hospital bed.
I honestly think a lot of Social Workers would be off on ‘long term sick leave’ if they had to do what Micheal for example, does in an average week. Caring for 2 elderly people 24/7. What about HIS Human Rights?
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At one time I was supporting all four elderly parents, all entitled to highest DLA/AA plus M. One week I had father in law staying overnight with me after he had a colonoscopy, to confirm bowel cancer. At the last moment he was told he couldn’t have it unless there was someone with him overnight. So that meant us. Very little sleep, as he went to the loo a million times each time turning the light on via the noisy pull cord, rather than use the fluorescent light, then noisily shutting the bedroom door afterwards. It’s only a little cottage and I’m a light sleeper. (Later I found out if he’d had the first appointment of the day, not the last, he would have been OK at home by himself!) The day after he went home, I had to take mum for a carpal tunnel op. She said whenI was taking her in that she was staying in overnight, then carers arranged. All wrong. I was told she was a day patient, and the sister told me I HAD TO look after her. I told her I couldn’t as I was going away with my disabled son and the rest of the family to a steam rally in Newbury. She would not accept this. Then I complained to the Hospital Manager who sorted things out. Doctors might have Tunnel Vision but we carers are expected to deal with things at a moment’s notice, from all directions!!
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@Mightycod It may be worth you checking out ‘Roll Call’? There are a few regular posters and we share the ‘ups and downs’ of caring. There is a HUGE amount of support and no judgement and it has helped me through some very dark times. I do consider the regulars real friends albeit cyber ones. Some humor - often black creeps in too. You can always hover for a while until you feel comfortable posting - share as little or much as you wish.
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Aw, thank you, I’ll have a look 
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It’s true! Often no consideration that carers have lives and other responsibilities too - jobs, other family members, etc.
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