Hi everyone, I have joined the site today. Mum has had mild alzheimers for some time but has been coping well. She is a very sprightly 92 and has managed to stay living at home with the help of a couple of carers who come in twice a day. This is what she wants more than anything, to able to stay at home. However, following a short illness over xmas her condition has deteriorated significantly and she has become very tired and quite unstable to the point where we feel she can't be left alone any more. The problem is my sister and I live and work far away and although we both take off as much time as we can to care for mum, the situation is now becoming untenable. We have looked at agencies that can provide a live in carer, as the last thing we know Mum wants is to have to leave and move into a home , but the cost is way beyond our financial reach. Does anyone have any advice about how to find a reliable private carer that would maybe cost a little less. Any thoughts would be appreciated as we are getting desperate.