Mum is still in hospital. Although sis & I were desperate and determined to bring her home, it is clear that we will not be able to cope. She hasn't eaten for 3 weeks now and hardly drinks - due to her unexpected cancer diagnosis a feeding tube is not an option. She constantly rips out her drip & is doubly incontinent. We have been told that care at home could be provided but there would be a number of gaps during the day & all night when mum would not have nursing care. As they have given her 3 months she has been banded catagory one which entitles her to full continuing NHS care. We spoke to an "independent" social worker who said that mum would be cared for in a nursing home of our choice (they would give us several to choose from) capable of dealing with AD and palliative care. I asked what would happen if mum was still around in 3 months time bless her & was told that they wouldn't throw her out on the street but would review her situation. She might be moved to another nursing home & her Pension & savings used to top up the cost of her care. I tried to digest what had been said & the conversation went elsewhere. After a while I asked - when the time came would mum be allowed to go to a hospice & spend the remaining time being cared for by the Macmillan nurses. The reply was - well, this is a difficult situation, you don't really want to move your mum once she is settled in the home do you? It probably will be better to leave her where she is.
So, let me get this right, if mum lives longer than 3 months, it's ok for her to be moved from a place she has got used to as her care would obviously be 'cheaper' in the new home. But, when mums time is up and we want her to be cared for in beautiful surroundings and pampered till the end we are not supposed to move her. This sounds a bit contradictory but the hospice local to us is like a 7 star hotel & although mum would not know why she was there, she would appreciate the surroundings and the care. I find it very difficult to believe that mum will have to 'fork out' should she live longer than 3 months! The cancer is not going to suddenly get better, things are going to get worse. How can they make 3 months the cut off time? I'm more concerned with them possibly moving her to a lesser 'cheaper' home. This is just a nightmare. Lyn
So, let me get this right, if mum lives longer than 3 months, it's ok for her to be moved from a place she has got used to as her care would obviously be 'cheaper' in the new home. But, when mums time is up and we want her to be cared for in beautiful surroundings and pampered till the end we are not supposed to move her. This sounds a bit contradictory but the hospice local to us is like a 7 star hotel & although mum would not know why she was there, she would appreciate the surroundings and the care. I find it very difficult to believe that mum will have to 'fork out' should she live longer than 3 months! The cancer is not going to suddenly get better, things are going to get worse. How can they make 3 months the cut off time? I'm more concerned with them possibly moving her to a lesser 'cheaper' home. This is just a nightmare. Lyn