What now?

[Seamus1967]

Hi,

I've been discharged from the mental health place. The care coordinator says he's going elsewhere & that I've not been cooperating with my support worker (?).

I understand I'm nowhere near as bad as most of the people they deal with and that resources are very stretched. They've made me aware of this.

But now I'm on my own. I have a neighbour that helps (reminds me to put the recycling out etc) but other than that it's just me.

I could really do with someone to come to important appointments with me as I struggle to remember things, struggle to explain things and sometimes don't appreciate the importance of things.

So does anyone know where I can get a bit of help with it?

I'm in rural Wales.

Thanks,

[Skulls]

Have a chat with Headway, Seamus. They ought to be able to suggest a solution. Good luck, buddy.

[Seamus1967 in reply to Skulls]

Thanks Skulls, I forgot about that lol

[Nafnaf87]

Good morning Seamus

Wales is a big place, mostly sheep I know, but you need to get hold of your local Brain Injury Service and probably Headway branch.

Mental Health Services where I am are atrocious - your treatment sounds very similar to mine. I think it was earlier this year their "Star worker" took me to Mens Shed and was going to leave me there.

I am going to our monthly Headway group meeting in a couple of hours - reply if you think I can help.

Best wishes

Michael

[Seamus1967 in reply to Nafnaf87]

I've just read your profile Michael, good luck mate.

[Nafnaf87 in reply to Seamus1967]

Don't remember putting that up! Hope all goes well for you Seamus

[skydivesurvivor]

Welcome to my world!! Seems social services are more concerned with teenagers than vulnerable adults!! Was told by my last social worker to contact them should I need support in the future, 15 years ago. No day centres open, got palmed off with dementia care!!

[Seamus1967 in reply to skydivesurvivor]

They said to me to come back anytime if I need support too. I can't see the point though.

[paxo05]

Hi , have you considered applying for direct payments? This would enable you to employ a P.A. They could help you with day to say tasks.

Now how to apply, we'll I'm not much help there. I know its through your local council.

The best contact is Headway, hopefully local one. They should know more help and how to apply.

All the best , and on here your never alone.

Pax

[Seamus1967 in reply to paxo05]

Thanks Pax, I'll look into that. A PA would be a bloody godsend!

[paxo05 in reply to Seamus1967]

Trust me a good P.A. is a god send.

[Seamus1967 in reply to paxo05]

Is it expensive?

[paxo05 in reply to Seamus1967]

If you qualify direct payments would pay you the hours awarded to you. Usually a company would handle payroll, you submit the time sheets and they provide a wage slip . You then pay your P.A. from the money direct payments give you. The money need to go through a separate bank account to your own. It's not as complicated as it seems they tell you if tax needs paying. The company I use is really helpful and are patient with me.

[Seamus1967 in reply to paxo05]

I'll definitely look into this paxo, I've been thinking for ages that a PA would be ideal. Many thanks!

[Teazymaid]

hi Seamus I think everyone has given you good ideas for help . And like them I would try headway first .. the big problem is mental health issues/ head injuries /strokes/ dementia etc all can have similar symptoms but I think don’t need the same after care ( just my thoughts ) all of the head /brain issues come from very different experiences and for me there is a massive lack of understanding in a brain injury/TBI than all of the other head problems .. seems there are support work for strokes , dementia and mental health but nothing for us … but unfortunately from working pre accident with mental issues I know that the actual professionals have no real time to deal with these but there is support / groups outside of the hospitals ..

you can’t group all head problems with the same support .. the are miles apart albeit similar in the medical departments .. .. take the advice you have received about headways and keep talking on here as this is where you will get a understanding ear and good advice to move forward ..sue x

[Seamus1967 in reply to Teazymaid]

Thanks for the reply Sue.

The care coordinator admitted to me that he's had no experience of dealing with anyone with frontal lobe ABI. Support worker is the same.

It's a nightmare but yes the Headway helpline seems the way forward.

Jim

[Teazymaid in reply to Seamus1967]

Bizarrely I actually was a supporter worker with a guy with frontal lobe ABI and did courses all of which was pre my accident so when I had my TBI after a while I could see things I was doing was the same as he did .. thank god my old memory was good .. ..sue