Law

legally speaking...

Our regular law column with

Iwas recently interviewed by a journalist wanting to write about my role and specifi cally asking me to explain what my job entails.

For those of you who may have followed and read my regular column I hope the articles written have helped to explain the breadth of my experience and how I can support and help clients and their families.

Rather than a specifi c topic in this edition, I have taken the rather unusual approach to share with you a recent testimonial of one of my clients who has witnessed fi rst hand how I was able to help his wife and her parents.

“In June 2021 my Dad went to hospital with a UTI, but then spent weeks in hospitals and a care home as they didn’t think he was ‘safe to discharge’ home and needed some rehab. All this time my Mum was insistent that she wanted Dad home but we agreed with the short term plan as we thought ‘rehab’ sounded good. However, once in the care home, Dad would constantly cry and beg and even shout to go home. After two weeks it was clear that Dad was massively deteriorating not rehabilitating, so we asked the NHS/Council if the money that was being spent on him for the care home could be redirected for a care package at home. The social work team said given Dad’s complex needs this would be ‘highly unlikely’. I then began looking into the logistics of care agencies, night nurses and how to borrow funds against their house.

When the initial NHS funding period ran out, the medics and social workers advised that Dad should stay in a care home. When my mum refused they discussed a ‘Best Interest Meeting’ for September. We were told that this panel of experts could potentially override the LPA my mum had for Dad’s health and welfare. That’s when I reached out to Anne, asking if it was a ‘pipe dream’ to think we could get him home with 24 hour help, without them losing their little bungalow. By this point Dad had been away from us for 3 months and was unrecognisable.

From the moment Anne arrived in late August, I felt that we fi nally had hope, with someone on Dad’s side, who would fi ght for him. Amazingly only 2 months after asking Anne for help - Dad was home with 24/7 fully funded care.

I have a huge regret that I didn’t call Anne earlier. We didn’t know what was possible with the right advocacy. We thought all we needed was an LPA. An earlier call would have saved Mum and Dad two months of separation and I truly think Dad would not have deteriorated so much, so fast, had he been discharged home with 1:1 care sooner.

It’s now nearly a year on from Dad’s admission and I can honestly say Anne’s advocacy has changed the lives of all of us in our family. She has made it possible for us to stay together at home, while ensuring Dad has the very best, fully funded care. We will be forever thankful and recommend Paladin Advocates wholeheartedly.”

With an ageing population there are an increasing number of families for whom I may be to help, guide and provide not only practical advice but more importantly piece of mind.

Do call and speak with one of our team on 01822 610303 and see how we can help you and your loved ones.

Anne

Anne Reed

Solicitor & Advocate Paladin Advocates

12 Plymouth Road VHF Tavistock PL19 8AY VHF annereed@paladinadvocates.com VHF paladinadvocates.comVHF