Electoral Roll

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

I have just searched 192.com looking for my Aunt and this is the result:
Dorothy M. BARRETT - Location: Scarborough


A few months ago, after telephone calls to them weren't answered and fearing that they may be lying injured on the floor somewhere, I phoned Scarborough Police and asked them if they would check the house for me. Less than an hour later, a Policewoman phoned to tell me, that according to the neighbours, both of them had been taken into a Residential Care Home, as they could no longer cope (due to Alzheimers).

I asked her for the name and address of the Home, but although she was very apologetic, she said that she wasn't allowed to give me that information, due to the Data Protection Act. My brother phoned Scarborough Council and was told exactly the same thing. Last week he drove from Cheshire to Scarborough to look at the Electoral Roll, but unfortunately, he didn't know that names are only listed under addresses, so it was a wasted trip! :(

I do not have a subscription to 192.com, so therefore I cannot get the address where they are now living. If some kind soul who has a sub, could give me the address, I would be very grateful.

Rod ....... if this request for a look-up is not allowed, will you please let me know and then I'll delete my message.

[Neil Wilson]

Hi Diane
I haven't access to 192, but feel that the system is wrong, as a concern relative you phone the police, they go and check out the information, tell you the result, then wouldn't tell you where they are now. The Data Protection Act has got in the way of common sense in this case.

Have you tried Scarborough social services or CAB (citizen's advice bureau)?

I am only suggesting this as once when 192 as free, on checking it and I was listed at the house I occupied 2 years previously.
Hope you find you aunt and uncle
Neil

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

Hi Neil,

Yes, my brother was told the same thing by Social Services, but I never thought of Citizen's Advice Bureau, so I'll explore that option.

I remember using 192.com when it was free a couple of years ago, like you, I got results! That's why I tried again this morning, but not free any more.

[keith9351]

b4usearch is free although a few years out of date they list next door neighbours and phone numbers who could help if you explained who you are.
Was there old address Linden Road.
Keith

Update- no phone numbers now but names and addresses of neighbours.

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

Hi Keith,

Yes, Linden Road, Newby, Scarborough. Thanks for the link, I'll go now and have a look at it for the names of the neighbours.

I don't know why my brother didn't call and ask them when he was over there last week!!!! |shakehead

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

Hi Keith,

I got the names of the people at Nos. 4, 6, 10 & 12 Linden Road, then put them in a Directory Enquiries search box. Unfortunately, they all have unlisted numbers, so Ill go back to the site you gave me when I can and will collect a few more names.

I hope they're not all ex-directory! :(

[ElaineMaul]

Hi Diane,

This may be a long shot but I wonder whether the Council would be willing to forward a letter to the managers of the care home where they've been moved.
You can then explain your relationship to the care home managers and hopefully they'll contact you?
Just a thought.....

Good Luck. You must be really worried about them?

Elaine

[Guy Etchells]

Diane
Try http://www.google.com/local?hl=en&lr=&q=residential+care+home&near=Scarborough,+UK&sa=X&oi=localr
it lists the 28 care homes in and around Scarborough.
Try phoning them.
Cheers
Guy

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

Hi Both,

Thanks for your input Elaine, that's something else to add to my list. I received a private email suggesting contacting the Alzheimers Society in Scarborough, so that's another.

Great minds think alike Guy! I googled Residential Homes, Scarborough, UK and I found that page too. ;)

If I phone the first one on the list and they tell me the same thing about the DPA ...... I think I'll have a little |rant|

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

I went back to the site and collected all the names from Linden Road and I entered them into Directory Enquiries search box. I got quite a few results , but none close to No. 8.

I took a chance and phoned one. The lady was very helpful, but did not know my Aunt. However, when I read out the list of names, she told me that one particular man had lived there for the last 15 years. :)

I phoned the number and I spoke to his wife and told her the story. .... she remembered the Police turning up that day. To cut a long story short, she is going to see the person who used to pop in everyday to check on my Aunt and Uncle, to ask if she can remember which Home they have gone in to.

Unfortunately, at the moment, the said lady is out .... so fingers crossed! :)

[Neil Wilson]

Unfortunately, at the moment, the said lady is out .... so fingers crossed! :)
I cross my fingers for you as well Diane.
good luck
Neil

[Guy Etchells]

I would phone the homes and simply ask to speak to your aunt rather than ask if she was there.
Make it sound as if you know she is a resident. ;)
Cheers
Guy

[keith9351]

Had to go out yesterday but glad to see you made some progress, hopefully even if you make contact via Guy's method this lady could explain the circumstances of them both being put into a home.
Good Luck
Keith

[kazrbutler]

Dear Diane,

you would think that nursing homes would actually welcome family members trying to make contact!

Having said that, if Alzeimers meant they couldn't cope, it is possible that you could eliminate some of the more basic nursing homes in the area by checking out their websites. Some nursing homes do not cater for Alzeimers and dementia patients who need more than basic care. I believe they have to be registered to take such patients, as well as have higher staffing levels.

It is also possible, that depending on how badly affected your relatives are, that a telephone conversation with them might not be very productive. A general call from a relative asking the nursing home how they are should at least elicit some response though.

Hope you have some success.
Best wishes, Karen|hug|

[keith9351]

Have listed this one

St Helens Nursing Home

Address: 41 Avenue Victoria, Scarborough, YO11 2QS

Tel: 01723 372763 Fax: 01723 503502

Person in charge: Roy Tomlinson

Registered for: Care Home with Nursing (Private) , 26 patients

CSCI Registered Care Categories: Alzheimmer's / Dementia, Mental Disorder (excluding Learning Disabilities or Dementia) (Elderly)

[BeeE586]

Diane - I've only just caught up with this thread. It has been a fascinating and heart-warming account of your search and I hope most sincerely that you find your aunt and uncle together, contented and well cared for.

Eileen

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

Thanks to everyone for your further messages, advice and links. I haven't heard anything yet from the lady I spoke to, but it's early days. :)

At the moment, I'm decorating (but I still need two daily 'fixes' of BG Forums), but when I've finished it all, I shall certainly chase things up. ;)

I shall try all the options you've given me and I will certainly let you know the outcome ...... a good one I hope! :)

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

I had a huge shock this afternoon, when I checked the death indexes on Ancestry ...... I found out that my aunt died four months before I posted my first message.

I had searched this index before, under the Reg. District of Scarborough, so no result of course, but for some reason this time, I searched under the County of Yorkshire. She died in December 2005 in Wakefield Reg. District.

I had no idea that she had returned to our birth place of Wakefield, which I left in 1999. If not for the Data Protection Act, quoted by the policewoman in Scarborough, my brother and I could have seen her before she died.

I know that she and my uncle purchased a burial plot in Newby, Scarborough many years ago, as the actual spot was shown to me and my brother, as they both wished to be buried there, exactly opposite the grave of her aunt and uncle.

However, I played a hunch and I phoned the crematorium in Wakefield. I found out that she was cremated there. They gave me the name of the funeral director and I was appalled to find out that they still have her ashes! Apparently, this is quite normal ...... for them to be kept until the spouse of the deceased dies too. They told me the name of the person who organised the funeral ...... and of course the DPA came into effect again and I haven't a clue as to who he is.

They gave me the name of the residential home (about five minutes drive from Crofton, where I used to live) and the Manager told me the date and cause of death, but another clam up with this unknown name.

The funeral director told me that I cannot take my aunt's ashes, as only members of the family can do that or Executors of Wills ...... so I have to assume that this unknown person is the latter. Therefore, I have to find out if I am correct in my assumption, from the Probate Indexes.

I am not interested in knowing the contents of the Will, or the amount which was left to my uncle ...... only the name of the Executor.

My brother is going to write a letter addressed to this unknown person, informing him of the burial plot in Newby, then he will send it with a covering letter, to the Manager of the residential home, asking that he forward it on.

[Jan1954]

Diane,

What a shock for you! I wish you luck with this quest and hope that you obtain resolution.

Please keep us posted.

[Davran]

Oh Diane, how sad. However, at least you should (eventually) be able to bury your aunt's ashes where she wanted to be laid to rest. Have you had any luck with finding your uncle? Did they not put him in the same home as your aunt?

[busyglen]

Sorry to hear the news Diane. I can't believe that it is so difficult to get in contact with a relative. I can understand the need to protect someone who is not capable of looking after themselves, but surely they should have allowed you a bit more information.

When you think how some people exploit elderly people when they are not capable of helping themselves, you can't help wondering whether this `clam up' is suspicious or not.

I really hope that you get something sorted out soon.

Fingers crossed.

Glenys |hug|

[Diane Grant-Salmon]

Thank you all for your comments. My brother has already written a letter as previously mentioned, the main part being this snippet:

I was wondering if she told you of the graveyard plot, which she had reserved for her and her husband back in the old church at Scarborough? If you are aware of it, then there is not a problem, but if you are unaware of it and want to know the details of it, then please feel free to get in touch and I can pass them to you.

Whether or not this person will reply, is another matter. My uncle is still living in the residential home, but any visits to see him, will be made by my brother first.