Carers Assessment-any tips?

[tre]

I asked for a carers assessment which is organised for the end of the month. I had hoped to be put in touch with someone from SS but it is the same person who was our care co-ordinator when my husband had a big downturn last Autumn. I had hoped I would get the lovely lady from SS who was allocated to my mum who had vascular dementia as she was very compassionate.
However, could any of you who have had this assessment advise me of anything I should bring up or what was particularly helpful or unhelpful?
My husband has an ISA which is over the £23K limit so we are self funding. His last MMSE was 5 and he needs someone with him 24/7 so I gave up my part time job in September 2011 to look after him full time as my hourly rate of pay was less than the cost of paying for care.
Any comments good or bad would be greatly appreciated.
Tre

[Sox]

Hello Tre - I don't think you have anything to worry about, the Assessors have done this so many times before and are usually very good at their job. When I had my carer's assessment I found that the Assessor was very good and "guided" me through the questions. The main thing is not to make light of things, don't pretend you are coping if you are not - tell it exactly as it is, i.e exactly what you do for your husband in the day, how many times you are up during the night - keep a diary of what happens to give you something to refer to when you have your assessment. Good luck. Sox

[Pheath]

I had a carer’s assessment a few years ago when I first became a full-time carer at home to my dad. Similar to you our savings were over the threshold. I hope your experience is more positive but afraid the social worker from our Council although nice was very limited in terms of what she could do. Most of what she said I knew already eg. about Carer’s Allowance and accessing resources at our local Carer’s centre. However I was offered some free workshops on Caring which I found helpful, they threw in a lunch too! Our Council is more cash strapped than most so hope yours can offer a bit more. Good luck with it.