My care is provided by a local Care Agency that have been approved to deliver the care I need through Social Services. To be fair, I have never had any cause to complain about the standard of my care, unlike we seem to hear so often in the news about the failure of care services and the abuse of patients/clients.
This morning, my carers didn't arrive until just after 11.30am - and my care package can take about three-quarters-of-an-hour to complete - involving showering and dressings etc... So, it always seems that half the day is gone by the time I'm up-and-about! Fortunately, we were able to get through everything quite quickly today, so I was ready for just after 12.00pm. The trouble is, this has become a 'regular' time for the last three weeks - and may be set to continue - simply due to the timings of the carers schedule - which is somewhat outside of their control - as the visiting schedule is pre-determined by the Agency's head office.
But, here's the thing... I'm wanting to return to work ASAP (and thereby become a regular tax-payer again). So you would think that it's in everyone's interest to get me back to work - but that is simply not the case. There is no joined-up process that prioritises this kind of outcome. Let's face it, why would the care agency want to 'lose' a client?
There's more stupidity though. There are several people on their visiting schedule, that are either frail elderly or in some other way completely unable to work, and they are slotted in before me. As far as I'm concerned, worse still is the fact that a couple of 'new' clients have been added in to their schedules, again, before my time slot... This does not make any sense, or respectful to me as a client.
What I must therefore do, is to raise this issue with Social Services (I'm due to have a review early in the New Year).
Perhaps what is most concerning, is not just my case, but how often this situation is replicated throughout the nation, whereby 'the care system' seems to 'conspire' to keep people out of the working environment. There appears to be no 'joined-up' thinking, or some kind of 'incentive' scheme to reward Agency's that can help get clients back-to-work in a timely way.
Am I asking too much? I don't actually think I am. And I'm wondering what analysis has been done to examine the 'time-line' of care services - and what approach should be taken to implementing the most advantageous service that would deliver the best economic benefit (if you get my drift here!).
Of course, I could dismiss the care agency, with agreement from Social Services, and employ my our dedicated care provision. Maybe it will get to that, even if it costs more, but it would be great if the arrangements already in place could be better optimised. As I said, there is nothing wrong with the actual standard of care.
Hey ho, for the time being I'll just have to grin-and-bear-it.... But watch this space!