Kathleen. An elderly lady living next door goes out in a community bus.The bus is provided by our local council at a cost of ten dollars, drop off and pick up.
I believe this is done in conjunction with local aged care people. This is in the Penrith area NSW .There is always somebody qualified on the bus. I don't know if your council does this.
It might be worth giving them a call. I hope this can help.
When the lady comes home tomorrow ( currently in hospital ) I will have a talk with her. She may be able to give me some more info.
Thanks Alan, hopefully waiting for the Mornington council to ring me back.
Unfortunately the nursing home does not have volunteers anymore. The insurance was too expensive.
Mum really cannot go out on her own as she is too unsteady on her feet.
I really appreciate your reply
As I said earlier I will talk to lady and maybe get some info that may help.
you would think that with the amount of elderly people and those confined to wheelchairs that there would be plenty of help.
I only hope that those who make the rules fall into the same category and suffer the same problems.
And when you think about it ,unless you have money and can afford the expense nobody cares . IMHO.
Good luck my friends and hope you can get a resolve.
Lady at the council rang me back. They do not have anyone who take out people who are permanent residents
in Aged Care. Gave me a number to ring.
Said it wasn't the first phone call she had got on this matter and agreed it was a blindingly obvious need.
I agree with you that the people who make the rules should find themselves in the same situation.
This post caught my eye as I have just put my Mum and Dad into care on the Tweed Coast.
For about 2 years before going into care they had carers coming in to take them shopping and doing their cleaning so
they got used to the girls coming in to see them and enjoyed their company.
When they went into care, the girls came to say goodbye, and Mum and Dad asked would they pop in to see them every now and
then as they had become close.
But Mum and Dad were devastated to learn that under no circumstances were the girls allowed to come and visit them, it was against
the rules that the carer's have to abide by.
Who makes these rules ?????
__________________
"we haven't been everywhere....but its on our list"
Have spoken to the lady next door and she said exactly what you have found out , and that is help for those at home and nothing for those in care homes.
Her hubby is in aged care and the family has to take him out .
Sorry I was not much help. As I said GOOD LUCK.
Alan.
Many many thanks for your wonderful effort in trying to help Alan.
Thank you also to all who replied to my post. I knew the people on this great forum would help if they could.
Update as of this afternoon.
Rang mum and told her of my efforts in trying to find someone who could take her shopping and outings.
Was told by mum not to bother.
She doesn't know them., and they might try to rip her off.
Tried and tried to tell her that this was not the case. So now am back to square one.
Try to help and make her happier. Then get knocked back AGAIN AND AGAIN.
AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH
Yeah, I used to work in places like that, and community transport is just not available to people who are in residential care... the excuse being that the care provider (nursing home) should provide transport/outings. Its a Sh*** situation, and I used to take out a couple of ladies myself. Trouble is, when I retired, they were back at square 1.
Is she in a high-care nursing home, or low-care, like a hostel? Both of these types of places employ a person to provide activities (including outings) for the residents. Some people enjoy these outings and are all ready an hour before they are due to leave, others cant be persuaded to go, which leaves their relatives providing the only outings they have.
Hi Gerty, mum is in hostel accommodation within the Nursing Home. They do have people who provide activities morning and afternoon.
Mum goes to these.
Also, when weather permits they do go on outings.
Mum is very suspicious of people full stop.
Mum thinks she can do so much but in reality she cannot.
Unfortunately mum is not accepting the reality of her age and health issues.
This is making it extremely difficult and frustrating trying to help her.
Ah well.
Will be down in Mornington on Wed. Will see what can be done .
Thanks to All
Cheers
Kathy
Aged mothers are all the same I think. When they are happy they can do anything. The slightest ill and they can't do or go anywhere. Sometimes I think it is attention seeking. We'll probably be the same when we get to be their age. In the meantime, don't let her make you have a guilt trip about being so far away. I'm only 2 hours away from mine and yet she still thinks it's too far. Tomorrow I'm going to visit her. This time she hasn't said, 'no, don't bother you're too busy' so maybe she is unwell.
Hi Neil Ruth. My aged care could not help either. Aaaarrrrgggghhhh.
Have now got another number to ring.
Not too much left to be done anyway.
Mums teeth, eyes and ears have been done since we got down.
Need to go for a holiday now.
We go back to Brissy on Thurs
Hi Kaid,
Is your mum in a PRIVATE or PUBLIC Aged care facility? While there are not many public aged facilities remaining, the government has sold them or shut them down, they do supply the infrastructure you are seeking. The small(40 beds) public aged care facility at which I work, has leisure and lifestyle activities, bus outings and once a week shopping trip for the residents who are able to go out without too much assistance. Shopping is offered for others who cannot make the trip themselves. The organisation also has volunteers to take residents to their doctors' appointments, the medical centre is 2 minutes walk and pharmacy is also provided.
While the facility is older style, it is situated in a small north eastern Victorian town and is very well serviced with qualified nursing staff 24/24 7 days a week. These days bonds are required but they may also be transferrable. They put people on a list if they is firmly interested in a transfer.
Maybe worth thinking about.........
Thanks RobandFlip, neilnruth and all who have offered suggestions in my quest to help mum.
Will be ringing the volunteer number I have been given in the morning.
Have just walked in the door from our flight back from Melb.
The NUM of mums wing is brilliant and is also ringing a few numbers for me.
Won't go into the family dynamics here BUT
I REALLY HOPE karma comes back around and bites them all on the ar**.
