Carer's assessments question

Mjaqmac

Registered User
Mar 13, 2004
939
0
Has anyone had a carer's assessment and found it helpful?
I asked for one 6 weeks ago and have heard nothing (usual care manager's capable abilities!)
I don't want to go chasing after one if it's just going to be loads of questions and no outcome. Can't really be bothered with anything at the moment and a bit sick of asking for help etc and finding it is either more trouble than it's worth or it's just another token gesture for carers on behalf of the government/social services blah blah....!

(Sound really fed up don't I? Sorry guys!)

Thanks folks.

Magic.
 

Angie

Registered User
Sep 10, 2004
6
0
Merseyside
Carers assessment

I have asked for a carer's assessment which one is entitled to have by law. It is fairly urgent for me as I am going into hospital next week for a knee replacement. I have arranged for 3 weeks repite care for my huband but don't know what will happen when I am discharged
Angie
 

susie

Registered User
Nov 30, 2003
82
0
shropshire
carers assessment

I had a carers assessment a few months ago as I was finding things difficult to cope with and was thinking of giving up my part-time job as it was all too much to cope with. My CPN advised me against this as being with David all day could make things worse. A social worker visited and did the assessment and the result was to get another carer in for 4 hours to take David out (Ihave one carer 3 hours once a week free)to keep him stimulated and also to give me an extra break when I retire soon.
Unfortunately the social worker is part- time so contact is sporadic and she is having to advertise for a carer and we will be interviewing the applicants and paying for them with direct payments from social services. I haven't heard from her for a while so it's not been that successful so far. On the plus side she has applied for a review of ourDLA level and this has been raised to the middlelevel,so it has it's benefits.
The important thing is to get on the social services books before a crisis happens so there is no delay when you need help.
Good luck with yours.
Susie
 

Jude

Registered User
Dec 11, 2003
2,287
0
70
Tully, Qld, Australia
Dear Magic,

I had a carer's assessment a couple of weeks' ago, but haven't heard anything so far. Will let you know when I receive a response.

Jude
 

Nutty Nan

Registered User
Nov 2, 2003
801
0
Buckinghamshire
I had my carer's assessment last week, and have already received a copy of the care plan from the CPN, who was very helpful.
It was very informal, lots of chat, not just ticking boxes.
Unfortunately, what I think we need doesn't tally with what's available, in that my husband is still too much in denial and would not accept a sitter, or someone to take him out. What I am searching for is someone who can go along with a 'plot' that makes it sound as though he was needed for a job, something that would boost his morale and self-esteem, in spite of the fact that in reality, he is unable to carry out any task without help and supervision ..... It would have to be someone who is familiar with AD, extremely patient, and sensitive to the mood swings and 'odd' behaviour. I guess I am reaching for the stars, but I won't give up hope of finding someone like that, one day!
The general plan is, to have another attempt at Day Care, but I am not sure yet how we can approach it to make it more successful this time.

Has anyone heard of an organisation called SPECAL? It stands for "Specialised Early Care for Alzheimer's", and is a charity based in Oxford. Their approach is absolutely wonderful, and I just wish we lived near enough to avail ourselves of their services.
They have issued the following two publications, which are available for a donation:
1. Making a present of the past, and
2. The SPECAL photograph album
I have found them absolutely inspiring!

I will post details under 'resources'.

Best wishes, Carmen
 

Norman

Registered User
Oct 9, 2003
4,348
0
Birmingham Hades
Carmen
have you tried Crossroads for a sitter?
My wife always refused to talk about "being minded"but they came and talked to us from crossroads,which didn't go down all that well.
I lied (again) and told Peg a friend of mine from carers centre was coming to stay with her whilst I played bowls.
I told her that I could not go out with an easy mind unless there was someone with her!!
We now have a regular sitterand she has accepted the situation,she doesn't remember the sitter from week to week but is alright when she arrives.
Some weeks they go out in the sitter's car for a little ride round.
Carmen I think if you can once get someone into the house,as a friend it will go alright.
best of luck
Norman
 

Norman

Registered User
Oct 9, 2003
4,348
0
Birmingham Hades
Dear Magic,Angie,Susie and Jude,
we had our assessments two weeks ago,what a wonderful social worker.
We answered questions and chatted for about 3 hours,
She went off to present our case to her manager and has since telephoned 3 times to see if we are alright and to say that she has not forgotten us.
She has her, words "promised to fight our corner"and will keep in touch.
NHS are fitting an extra hand rail on the stairs,this is the loans and aids department,part of the consultant's team (OT,CPN ETC).
It seems sometimes it is a quicker route than SS.
Norman
 

barraf

Registered User
Mar 27, 2004
308
0
Huddersfield
Dear Magic

We had a carer's assessment recently but it took from the19th Sept when I first applied until 14th October before we actually got the interview. I had to keep emailing the SS manager to get anything done.

We have now received the completed assessment and they are recommending Direct Payments to get a sitter to provide respite for me. Unfortunately the Direct Payments dept is a seperate entity and the SS can only recommend.

So now we are waiting to hear from the Direct Payments unit. More than likely it will mean another interview.

My main objective in applying was to get onto the books in case anything happened to me, so we shouldn't have to start from scratch.

I printed out 7 A4 sheets of no holds barred facts and figures of what I have to do on a daily basis for Margaret. Also another 7 sheets of extracts from my diary, so they can see how I am affected everyday. The social worker seemed quite impressed.

Cheers Barraf
 

Chris

Registered User
May 20, 2003
243
0
SPECAL

Hello Carmen

To answer your question, which was :

Has anyone heard of an organisation called SPECAL? It stands for "Specialised Early Care for Alzheimer's", and is a charity based in Oxford. Their approach is absolutely wonderful, and I just wish we lived near enough to avail ourselves of their services.
They have issued the following two publications, which are available for a donation:
1. Making a present of the past, and
2. The SPECAL photograph album
I have found them absolutely inspiring!
_________________________________
YES YES You are the first person i've found who knows about them !! Talking Point is wonderful!
ALSO SEE www.specal.co.uk

I visited SPECAL a few years ago - the whole experience is very special (!)- like no other visit I've made. Visitors are required to be a fly on the wall almost & visit for a whole day. They must not make eye contact with those attending - very difficult. My friend & I sat together 'reading' newspapers etc while observing the day unfold. We were asked to attend the staff + volunteers meetings before & after the session & chatted to those attending in the late afternoon at the end of their day.

I cant do justice to SPECAL in a short message - suffice it to say everyone was engaged in something as an individual throughout the whole day in a very natural way - some were 'doing' crosswords in newspaper , one lady making floral arrangements for dining tables on her own, one lady holding a soft fur fabric cuddly dog, a lady was cleaning brass at a table etc . We could not tell who was staff or volunteer or person attending a lot of time. If anyone became disengaged (ie lost interest in what they were attending to - they were 'picked up' by staff or volunteer).

Apologise to SPECAL - prob not a good idea for me to attempt explanation - but you may be wondering what we are raving about.

To give you an idea of how they are regarded - a single benefactor this year enabled SPECAL to purchase the whole of the old cottage hospital site thus ensuring the future of the charity & expansion of the concept - which started off as a very small Alzheimer's Society funded project. See the website (www.specal.co.uk) for the history and where they are today - it is the vision of one person that has produced SPECAL.
 

Chris

Registered User
May 20, 2003
243
0
Who should do the Carers Assessments

Does anyone have any thoughts on who should do the Carers Assessments?

If you read the Dept fo Health document - it is a requirement that
Carers Assessments are carried out but local authorities can opt to contract this out to eg the voluntary sector. Appropriate training would have to be given to staff appointed to do this - but by whom & who checks up ? Its all about standards again. I worry about who will end up providing this service for carers & regret this clause of contracting out.

In some areas Social Workers have taken Carers Assessments on but will they continue to do so as more & more carers realise they may ask & expect to have one? In some areas Community Support Worker grades have been appointed to do this work.

Any thoughts?

With the new Carers Act coming in now it is imperitive Carers Assessments are done to a good standard. Carers have a right to leisure and learning (ie a good quality of life not just the 24/7 caring job - those of working age should be able to keep their skills up too) as well as everything else.
 

Jude

Registered User
Dec 11, 2003
2,287
0
70
Tully, Qld, Australia
The SPECAL Project sounds wonderfully inspiring and I am also sad that it is so far away from us. Many thanks for the details. I have ordered their Photograph Album information.

Jude
 
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Jude

Registered User
Dec 11, 2003
2,287
0
70
Tully, Qld, Australia
Dear Carmen,

I can well empathise with the 'job' scenario. This incredible feeling of being useless is one that my father constantly battles with. I wonder if Crossroads have any male carers on their list in your area? I mention this because since Glyn has been around, my father is much less anxious about his 'job prospects'.

Glyn takes him out and they visit Military and Motor Museums, Steam Train Exhibitions, as well as going off to Gatwick to watch the aircraft. They also do small gardening jobs together or browse around in B & Q. This all helps Dad feel like he's involved in 'men's activities' rather than being constantly surrounded by women all the time which is actually part of the problem. So many carers are women of course but men need to do 'blokey' things together to stop them feeling inadequate. A male carer who would become a friend may just well help quite a lot.

Jude
 
C

Chesca

Guest
Dear Magic

I've never had a carer's assessment, just used to get on the phone and yell for help. But there again, much as I've maligned muchly some of the support services (eg the CPN), I do have to say that Debbie - Mum's and, more recently, Dad's social worker - always responded positively. Can't help thinking sometimes that I did things the hard way - nothing new there! I feel a song coming on.................. If there's a wrong way to do it, a wrong way to bxxxxs it up, nobody does it like meeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

Let us know the outcome. Should be very interesting given the **** you've been putting up with.

Chesca
 
C

Chesca

Guest
Dear Angie

My immediate cynical response to your post was: They'll probably provide you with a turbo-charged double buggy and an account with the local take away and call it meals on wheels. But take no notice of me - I get a little bitter from time to time, chew on a sugar cube and mellow out.

You are, hopefully, convalescing, following your op with, some useful support in place.

Good luck and speedy recovery
Chesca
 

Nutty Nan

Registered User
Nov 2, 2003
801
0
Buckinghamshire
Dear Norman - many thanks for your words of encouragement.

Dear Chris - reading your notes about SPECAL, I feel you 'mirror' my excitement about this project. I read their literature in one fell swoop, then spent the next few weeks dreaming about being able to give up my job in order to open up a SPECAL 'branch' in my vicinity, if not my own home. I even had friends and colleagues earmarked who would be able to help me. Needless to say, fantasy and reality are worlds apart, but it was a nice feeling to have some positive adrenaline rushing through my veins for a change ....

Dear Jude - you've got it in one: male company, that's what's needed! Local Lunch Club and Help The Aged Pop-Ins seemed a good idea, but Tony is overwhelmed in the company of 'gabbling women', sometimes even accused them of talking about him .... When I found a private carer 18 months ago who posed as a long-lost friend who was lonely and in need of company, he soon started worrying about "I can't be seen to be going out with another women - what will people think ....!"
I will not give up my search for the right person (male or female) to provide the stimulation and feel-good factor Tony needs. It's a challenge and I will report back!

All the best to you all!
 

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