Councils turn to ‘desktop assessments’ as DoLS backlog hits 100,000

Councils turn to ‘desktop assessments’ as DoLS backlog hits 100,000, Community Care, 4th October 2016

Councils are set to use desktop assessments to complete deprivation of liberty cases in a bid to clear a backlog of more than 100,000 referrals.

An advice note issued by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), seen by Community Care, said this approach should only be used for cases triaged as ‘low priority’ or renewals of existing Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) authorisations of at least six months.

All such cases should be screened against nine criteria, including whether relatives object or there are any safeguarding concerns, ADASS said. If none are present “the more proportionate approach” should be used, with a best interest’s assessment carried out on papers alone or with a “shorter” visit than would normally be expected. One council keen to implement ADASS’s approach said it was taking legal advice before doing so. ADASS said the approach was “compliant” with the DoLS legislation.

URGENT Warning about Government’s ‘risky’ online legal tool

Urgent warning about Government’s ‘risky’ online legal tool, Mowbray Woodward, 15th November 2016

Mowbray Woodwards solicitor Heledd Wyn has joined a number of organisations representing older and vulnerable people to raise serious concerns around the Government’s online tool for creating Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs).

An LPA is a powerful legal document that allows a person to appoint trusted individuals to make important decisions about care and finances on their behalf, in the event of a loss of mental capacity through an accident or illness such as dementia. In May 2014, the Government’s Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) launched its online LPA tool, which it claims allows people to create the documents without the need for professional advice from a solicitor.

But a new report, published by a coalition of organisations led by SFE, warns that anyone creating an LPA without taking specialist legal advice faces a significantly higher risk of being left with an ineffective legal document, incurring additional application fees, and even becoming a victim of fraud or coercion. The report also raises concerns around the potential of a completely digital system proposed by the OPG, whereby ‘wet signatures’ – the physical signing of the document – would no longer be required.

Elderly failed by 'shameful' care system

Elderly failed by 'shameful' care system, BBC News, 17th November 2016

The way older people are being cared for in England is "shameful" and "scandalous", charities say.

Age UK and the Alzheimer's Society criticised both the quality of care and the way it was rationed as they published fresh evidence on the state of the care sector.

It includes figures that suggest the number of older people not getting help has risen by nearly 50% since 2010. But ministers insisted plans were in place to support the market.

Care is funded by either councils or individuals themselves - although growing numbers are also relying on family and friends to support them.

The two charities published reports on the same day that the BBC released an analysis of how councils had handled requests for help.

The three pieces of research showed:

·         There are now an estimated 1.2 million over-65s going without help for care - nearly one in eight of all older people

·         Some 300,000 of them have difficulty with three or more tasks, including dressing, washing and going to the toilet

·         Councils agreed to help under half the 1.3 million people who approached them for care last year

·         The BBC identified 11 councils that rejected more than 75% of applications

·         Where home care was provided "serious problems" were identified in the way dementia patients were treated

·         Staff said they had not been given enough training to cope with the complex needs people had

·         Families reported examples of poor care, including loved ones not being given medication, being left in dirty clothes for days and going missing after homes had not been properly secured

Man to be refunded over £84k

Man to be refunded over £84k

Man is to be refunded over £84k from Nottingham City Council for wrongly paying care home costs.

A man who spent 17 years wrongly paying towards the cost of a care home he was staying in will be refunded more than £84,000 by Nottingham City Council.

The patient was discharged from hospital in September 1999 and placed into a residential home by the authority.  

He made contributions to the cost of the service until May 5 this year, when his after aftercare status was recognised.  The law states that health and social services have a duty to provide free aftercare to certain patients who have been detained under the Mental Health Act after their release from hospital.

2017, What's On

Happy New Year, everyone.  We here at EEF HQ hope you had a Merry Christmas and that 2017 is a happy one for you.

For the Foundation, it's back to work and planning our events for 2017.

In March (30th March 2017) we will be holding our first ever Conference - Mental Capacity Act 2005 - 10 Years On (https://edithellenfoundation.blogspot.co.uk/p/mca-conference-2017.html) This is a FREE event open to everyone with an interest in the Mental Capacity Act and how it has worked over the last 10 Years, what's right and what's wrong with it.

Throughout the year we will be working to establish our free befriending service to enable Social Inclusion and prevent isolation for out Veterans and Older People.

The Edith Ellen Foundation will also be working to establish our Training School of Excellence.  We will be launching our Training Model and rolling out specialised Training for Current Carers and those looking to enter a Career in Care Services.

The Edith Ellen Foundation Blog will also be concentrating on providing informative articles on Continuing Care and NHS Funding.  We will also aim to provide interesting and informative Articles on current events throughout the year.

The Edith Ellen Foundation, looks forward to working with you all and supporting you in our capacity for the Provision of Excellent Care for All - Families, Service Users and Care Providers.

Happy New Year, lets make 2017 the year of Change.

Happy New Year, from The Edith Ellen Foundation

I would say happy new year but it’s not happy;
It’s exactly the same as last year except colder,
My Wishes in 2017,
Are for You,
12 Month of Happiness,
52 Weeks of Fun,
365 Days Success,
8760 Hours Good Health,
52600 Minutes Good Luck,
3153600 Seconds of Joy..and that’s all!

Simply learn that life is a Book,
Everyday is a new Page,
Every month is a new Chapter,
& 

Every year is a new Series!