A man fears his disabled brother, neglected by social services, faces death if returned to his squalid flat.
The brother fears he will die if he stays there alone. Videos show the flat’s inside is very messy and dirty, with plates, bottles, clothes, and rubbish are all over. The disabled man cannot speak and has health issues, and he has struggled with addiction for a long time. He even had a heart attack in February and was in the hospital last year with a fast heart rate.
Doctors kept him for five weeks because of this. They had planned for him to go into sheltered housing because the man was deemed unable to care for himself. He first spoke about his brother in January, but his brother’s move was delayed. He was given too many carer support hours, and the council considered it too expensive since the hours needed to be adjusted and the contract changed first
This delay caused an extra three months of waiting, and his brother had a heart attack during that time. The man sees his brother struggling with hygiene and food and takes photos of the messy flat. The brother received treatment for alcohol issues last year, and staff asked about sheltered housing then, but he was still sent back to his flat, because he needs help with cleaning and medicine.
The brother has fought for sheltered housing for 16 years. Now, he needs heart medication permanently and feels abandoned and unable to cope, because the flat is not fit for anyone. The disabled man cannot cook or clean for himself. The flat is broken, littered, and disheveled, and the brother found the house damaged in January, because he does not shop or clean for himself.
The brother feels ashamed to leave him there. The family shares this shame and worry. He had his brother for five weeks last year. His brother wanted to leave, so he let him go.
The man neglects himself due to worry. He cannot plan things because he is always waiting. He wants a mental health assessment for his brother and hopes his needs get assessed properly. They have been trying to help him get sober for years. He does not want him to return to the flat, since he thinks his brother will die if he returns.
The city council knows about the situation. They said they are talking to the man and his family and are providing advice and support during this difficult time.