A fortnight ago Dad was reasonably mobile at home with a Zimmer frame and assistance from a live-in carer. Then after a couple of funny turns (seizures) and 3 nights in hospital, his mobility declined to the point where he is now unable to walk or even stand up safely without a beefy helper on either side. If feeling an urgent need for the toilet he might summon up just enough strength to fall out of the chair or bed he is in at the time. For a week he was falling once or twice every day/night.
A manager from the private care company visited and did a quick risk assessment after which he recommended a standing hoist, a hospital bed, a wheeled commode and a transfer board to enable Dad to continue living at home with assistance from one live-in carer from his company. This was faxed to Social Services, who were happy to send a commode and order a hospital bed but wanted to do their own assessments of Dad and his house before sending any hoists.
The problem is that, in the meantime, we put Dad into respite in order to keep him safe until the equipment arrived. But now that Dad is in a "place of safety" he is no longer a high risk case, and the SS OT admitted that he would not be given any priority for assessment by Social Services.
What I hoped would be a temporary stay in the home now looks like it could stretch on indefinitely. My worry is that Dad's mood and mobility will decline more rapidly now he is in a care home, and a lengthy stay could mean he never comes home again.
We didn't spend very long looking around, but the home is basically OK and Dad doesn't seem too upset by the "temporary" move so far.
I just wonder - is this the best we can do for Dad?
Should we forget about Social Services and pay for a private occupational therapist to assess Dad and buy whatever they recommend?
Is it possible for a mid-stage dementia sufferer with urinary incontinence and almost no mobility to live at home any more - even with a live-in carer and all suitable equipment?
One private live-in carer is just about affordable for him, but two would definitely break the bank!
A manager from the private care company visited and did a quick risk assessment after which he recommended a standing hoist, a hospital bed, a wheeled commode and a transfer board to enable Dad to continue living at home with assistance from one live-in carer from his company. This was faxed to Social Services, who were happy to send a commode and order a hospital bed but wanted to do their own assessments of Dad and his house before sending any hoists.
The problem is that, in the meantime, we put Dad into respite in order to keep him safe until the equipment arrived. But now that Dad is in a "place of safety" he is no longer a high risk case, and the SS OT admitted that he would not be given any priority for assessment by Social Services.
What I hoped would be a temporary stay in the home now looks like it could stretch on indefinitely. My worry is that Dad's mood and mobility will decline more rapidly now he is in a care home, and a lengthy stay could mean he never comes home again.
We didn't spend very long looking around, but the home is basically OK and Dad doesn't seem too upset by the "temporary" move so far.
I just wonder - is this the best we can do for Dad?
Should we forget about Social Services and pay for a private occupational therapist to assess Dad and buy whatever they recommend?
Is it possible for a mid-stage dementia sufferer with urinary incontinence and almost no mobility to live at home any more - even with a live-in carer and all suitable equipment?
One private live-in carer is just about affordable for him, but two would definitely break the bank!