How/where can I get care before diagnosis?

[josephinewilson]

My 85 year old mother who lives in sheltered accommodation had a memory assessment this week and is awaiting a brain scan and presumably a further appt from the GP. She lives in sheltered acommodation and although I visit her 3 times a week to take her out and get her shopping I am concerned she doesn't have a visitor in between times and I am increasingly concerned about her. Where do I go to find a carer to visit her, if only socially once a day for a short period? I presume if she gets a diagnosis then we will be told about options but these things could take weeks and I think she needs a visitor sooner. Of course, the fact that she thinks she is fine and that any care visitor would be "under foot" is another issue but I am new to the system. Do I just find a private care organisation and ask them for a meeting? How do I know they are reputable? Thanks.

 

[nitram]

Not having a formal diagnosis does not prevent her having a care assessment by the LA.

As things have progressed to the stage where a brain scan is deemed necessary to help with the diagnosis it is obvious that problematic symptoms have been observed.

Contact the LA to get the ball rolling, don't wait for a diagnosis of the reason for the problem just present the LA with a statement (and if possible a log of events) and ask for an assessment.

At the same time you should ask for a carer's assessment for yourself.

As she is in sheltered accommodation she should be eligible for attendance at at least the lower rate. Has this been applied for/obtained?

 

[Cath59]

My mum deteriorated fast so we only started looking at these things before realising she needed a care home. I'm sure someone with more experience will be along soon but to start you off.
First question is funding - if self funding you'll be more or less on your own anyway. If assets are low enough to qualify for help ask for a Social Services assessment. That should reflect needs and not be dependent on a diagnosis. If you're self funding we found our local Alzheimer's support worker excellent for information on what should be available and what to look for. I understand Age UK can be pretty good as well. All care organisations are CQC inspected. Make sure you thoroughly read the reports for any agencies you look at. Good luck!!

 

[Quilty]

My mums social worker gave me a list of care agencies. The first one we used was only when i went away on a two week holiday. They were not very friendly and mum didnt like them. The next holiday i tried a different agency and they really clicked with mum. When i returned we had then come in every day for 30 minutes. This was first thing in the morning to get her up, meds and some breakfast. We paid for this but it worked well. Social services put a key safe in for us to help carers get access.

 

[josephinewilson]

Thanks

Thanks for all your suggestions. I have emailed a couple of nearby care services and will see what they say this week. My mother has more than the 23K I think is the limit, so I expect she will have to pay for everything. I did look at attendance allowance although the effort involved in filling in the paperwork I did find rather daunting - but maybe I should persevere as I know it's not income related and she may well be entitled to it.

 

[Pickles53]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I have emailed a couple of nearby care services and will see what they say this week. My mother has more than the 23K I think is the limit, so I expect she will have to pay for everything. I did look at attendance allowance although the effort involved in filling in the paperwork I did find rather daunting - but maybe I should persevere as I know it's not income related and she may well be entitled to it.

Yes, you should apply for AA. The firms do look daunting, but if you contact AS or Age UK they should have someone who can help ensure that you put all the correct information in the right way. Remember you need to have required help for six months before payments can start.

 

[josephinewilson]

"You need to have required help for 6 months before payment starts" What does "help" mean? All she has had in recent months has been me visiting her and taking her out, and now the possibility of my getting a carer to visit. Does that count? Or do I need to wait until she has had "official" outside help for 6 months before applying?

 

[Beate]

Nothing to do with official help. It just means any help with taking medication, personal hygiene, dressing, preparing or eating food, getting out and about, shopping etc etc., the form spells it out quite clearly. The six months refer to when the need for help started, whether that need was fulfilled or not.

 

[Grannie G]

Hello josephinewilson

The Alzheimer`s Society might be able to put you in touch with your local Befriending Service if you are lucky enough to have one in your area. It sounds just what your mother might need.

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=2467