Exposing the unmet need in social care: Your stories
Social care can be transformative to people who get it. However, our latest research shows that 1.5 million eligible adults in England might not be accessing this life-changing assistance.
You shared your stories about how social care could make a positive difference in your lives.
Tanya
Tanya has several physical and emotional conditions and requires support to help her live life comfortably and safely.
Tanya told us that she suffers from blackouts and dizzy spells in addition to other symptoms, including incontinence.
Adjustments to her home, like having a bathtub she can sit in instead of a walk-in shower (in case she collapses during a blackout or dizziness while bathing), would make her feel safer doing daily activities. There's a ramp to her house, but it becomes too dangerous for her to use if it is icy or wet. "I'm trying to avoid falling all over the place," she explained. "My movement is so limited now."
Tanya will need to pay £149 to her council every week to receive social care support. This would wipe out her PIP payment, which she already relies on to cover her basic caring needs, including a cleaner and mobility help in her home. On top of other costs, such as heating and electricity, the added expense is unobtainable to her. Tanya is already struggling with the cost of living and her social care needs.
Tanya described there being 'absolutely no chance' of getting more care support. "You can't access help because it's priced out of your range or the answer (to her requests for help) is 'no'". However, with more support from social services, Tanya thinks her safety and quality of life would improve.
The lack of support has a profound effect on Tanya's daily life. She doesn't feel confident leaving her house without someone like a support worker to help her, in case she suffers a blackout and collapses. “When I’m at home I can grab on to something if I fall, but I can’t do this if I’m outside. I can’t even go as far as the bus stop,” she explained. “And as for anything social, there's absolutely no chance. Even if I didn't have these symptoms, I can't even afford to go to a café for a coffee," she explained.
I’m isolated because I can’t get help. Ask yourself something; would you want one of your relatives to live like that?
Support for carers is important too: Alan's story
Read the full report here.
If you need this report in a different format, please email enquiries@healthwatch.co.uk or call 030000 68 3000.
