Does anyone have experience of finding and employing a carer? That is, not someone to come into the house particularly, but to take my mum out and about maybe to a day centre and certainly to a Singing for the Brain group if we can find one near her. At the moment she is still singing in a local choir, and coping OK because it's all familiar (Christmas) music, but even she is beginning to say she might not go next term when she won't know the music. So I thought a singing group with people who understand would be worth a try.
I live 250+ miles away from my mum. My sister lives with her and is responsible for her day to day care - mum is still fairly able to cope, but gets confused and needs supervision - but it would be good for everyone if she got a bit more time out as well. I spent a weekend with Mum recently and took her away to a church-related conference where there were other people, and it was noticeable how much more lively she was with more people around her. (She came home quite tired and a little more confused, but that's a small price to pay for some stimulation and company! She said she enjoyed herself, and she certainly seemed to!)
Anyway, to avoid my sister or her husband having to take her out every time, and to make it a bit more of an "event", I think to find a carer, who will need to be able to drive and have a car they can use to transport mum (who lives in the countryside far from any sort of public transport), would give everyone the break they need.
Any ideas as to how to find someone? What do I need to bear in mind? I'm doing the groundwork and trying to find out what's what!
I live 250+ miles away from my mum. My sister lives with her and is responsible for her day to day care - mum is still fairly able to cope, but gets confused and needs supervision - but it would be good for everyone if she got a bit more time out as well. I spent a weekend with Mum recently and took her away to a church-related conference where there were other people, and it was noticeable how much more lively she was with more people around her. (She came home quite tired and a little more confused, but that's a small price to pay for some stimulation and company! She said she enjoyed herself, and she certainly seemed to!)
Anyway, to avoid my sister or her husband having to take her out every time, and to make it a bit more of an "event", I think to find a carer, who will need to be able to drive and have a car they can use to transport mum (who lives in the countryside far from any sort of public transport), would give everyone the break they need.
Any ideas as to how to find someone? What do I need to bear in mind? I'm doing the groundwork and trying to find out what's what!