Dealing with the authorities

Never, ever forget:

1. say as little as possible.
2. if you don’t like what they’re saying – just state your view calmly and quietly or better still tell them you need to reflect on what they’re saying.
3. to them you do not exist. They do not care about you – unless you are very fortunate.
4. they know everything about your loved one – you know nothing. This of course is totally not the case but it’s their view of your world.
5. the whole system in the UK lacks coordination but they do all speak to each other – especially about YOU. Anything you say will be known by everyone else involved in your cared fors case within nano seconds. Sneeze and they all know you’ve caught a cold. Make a critical remark and everyone knows you’re not happy.
6. keep your opinions to yourself.
7. keep your plans to yourself.
8. keep your mouth shut as much of the time as possible.
9. they are hyper sensitive and take everything personally.
10. they can wreak revenge.
11. they are powerful and in a heartbeat they can make your life not worth living. One safeguarding alert and your loved one is taken into care. One whisper to the Court of Protection and any Lasting Power of Attorney is immediately suspended. They don’t even have to provide evidence of what they are alleging.
12. each local authority in the UK has their own rules and their own way of doing things. As an example in some counties you get 3 hours of Take a Break vouchers in a week in others you get 6 hours.
13. the right hand rarely knows what the left hand is doing.
14. never assume anything good – always assume the worse. Sadly most times you’ll be right.