I'm always delighted by people trying to prod social services into action. In case its ever useful, or of interest to you, I've provided the url to the criteria nearly all social services departments are now using to assess for care. Unless people fall into critical or substantial categories they won't be given any help. http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=2898&pageNumber=2 You'd think your dementing old lady would certainly be critical, but if you check the eligibility page, one way SS depts are avoiding providing such services is this "A person is only eligible for social care services where needs are identified above the threshold line and where there is no-one else willing, able or appropriate to assist."http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=2898&pageNumber=1 (the emphasis is mine) They will go to ridiculous lengths to find anyone they deem appropriate to assist. A personal example was I'd happened to mention I'd started dating, although we'd only been on a couple of dates, the social worker was busy writing him up for my weekend care without knowing his name, age or location. It didn't matter what I wanted (and certainly not what he wanted!), she could write something down, save money and forget about it. I hope knowing the criteria used will be useful to you or someone else at some point, and that the black dog lifts a little soon, Bendy Girl