To care too much?
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 1:04 am
A disabled pensioner is set to celebrate her 80th birthday alone after a council banned its carers from visiting her on their days off. Brenda Coker, 79, was left devastated by the decision to prevent staff she counts as her closest friends from popping in for a cup of tea.
Their visits - which have spanned the 15 years she had received home care - were deemed 'inappropriate' by Milton Keynes Council. Its officials claim guidelines forbid contact between carers and clients when they are off duty, and have dismissed her complaints.
The retired nurse now faces celebrating her 80th birthday alone as her brother is her only relative who lives 150 miles away in Cheshire and her carer friends are forbidden to attend.
Miss Coker, who walks with a frame after two hip replacements and has been diagnosed with a blood disorder, said she felt betrayed and abandoned by the council. She said: 'They've stopped my friends coming round for a cup of tea and a natter. I've watched some of my carers children growing up and have children of their own.
'When you live on your own and have no relatives its nice for someone to come in and talk to you and have a coffee. 'I do get lonely at times especially when I came out of hospital last year after eight weeks.
'If it hadn't been for the carers cheering me up I think I would have given up. 'I get lonely in the winter months and I don't want to sit looking at four blank walls all day long. 'I think it is absolutely appalling. Care doesn't stop when you shut the front door and say goodbye.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z0vsTgP0E8
