It has been a real battle to get mum awarded free healthcare (continuing Healthcare). The assessment process appears to be configured in such a way that it is difficult for someone with even advanced dementia but no other health conditions to get a positive outcome.
What i want to share is the message - keep on fighting and don't give up. It is difficult at a time when, as carers, we are so absorbed with our caring responsibilities that we have little or no energy to fight bureaucracy.
Get support from the Alzheimer's Society (I did) knowledge is power and the more you understand the process the better armed you are for the battle. If necessary get your local MP involved if your application is rejected.
With nursing home care fees at £850 per week, or £44,000 a year, financially it is certainly worth the fight, but for us as a family it felt more important that we were fighting for justice and a fair deal for mum.
After a long fight our local CCG has awarded mum continuing healthcare funding and backdated the award - so it really can be worth the fight.
What i want to share is the message - keep on fighting and don't give up. It is difficult at a time when, as carers, we are so absorbed with our caring responsibilities that we have little or no energy to fight bureaucracy.
Get support from the Alzheimer's Society (I did) knowledge is power and the more you understand the process the better armed you are for the battle. If necessary get your local MP involved if your application is rejected.
With nursing home care fees at £850 per week, or £44,000 a year, financially it is certainly worth the fight, but for us as a family it felt more important that we were fighting for justice and a fair deal for mum.
After a long fight our local CCG has awarded mum continuing healthcare funding and backdated the award - so it really can be worth the fight.