Hi,
My Mum and Dad are in their 70's and my mum has been caring for my father who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's nearly three years ago. As expected, his condition is steadily deteriorating - he has forgotten the names of most general items, only sleeps for two or three hours at a time and panics when she leaves the house. She is doing a superwoman job caring for him ... all on her own as I frustratingly live on the other side of the world and cannot afford to visit.
Anyhow, she has to go into hospital later this month for a knee replacement operation and is terrified of what will happen to my Dad and how she will cope afterwards. No one is giving her any advice and what little information she has been given she does not really understand. She has arranged for a family member to stay with my Dad for a couple of days whilst she is in hospital but believes she has to pay 11.50 an hour for home care when she comes out. Both my parents are on basic pension, have very little in the way of savings, and no other property than their own modest semi-detached bungalow in Lincolnshire.
Am I right in thinking she should be getting some free help with my father now, let alone after the operation? How should she go about getting it? I cannot believe her doctor has not sorted this out for her, even though she is not one to fuss. Any help you can give would be appreciated.
My Mum and Dad are in their 70's and my mum has been caring for my father who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's nearly three years ago. As expected, his condition is steadily deteriorating - he has forgotten the names of most general items, only sleeps for two or three hours at a time and panics when she leaves the house. She is doing a superwoman job caring for him ... all on her own as I frustratingly live on the other side of the world and cannot afford to visit.
Anyhow, she has to go into hospital later this month for a knee replacement operation and is terrified of what will happen to my Dad and how she will cope afterwards. No one is giving her any advice and what little information she has been given she does not really understand. She has arranged for a family member to stay with my Dad for a couple of days whilst she is in hospital but believes she has to pay 11.50 an hour for home care when she comes out. Both my parents are on basic pension, have very little in the way of savings, and no other property than their own modest semi-detached bungalow in Lincolnshire.
Am I right in thinking she should be getting some free help with my father now, let alone after the operation? How should she go about getting it? I cannot believe her doctor has not sorted this out for her, even though she is not one to fuss. Any help you can give would be appreciated.