I have looked after my partner Richard for the past 10 years he has suffered with Alzheimers. Unfortunately I twisted my knee 6 weeks ago and it has disabled me and I am now housebound. My knee is in a locked position as I cannot bend it. I have struggled since my accident to care for Richard. Initially the GP said it would be a lot better in 4 to 6 weeks when the swelling has gone down. As it's not, I have been put forward for an emergency scan (2 weeks ago). However, I've reached breaking point with the knee situation and am arranging for respite care for Richard asap, so I can go to A&E and hopefully someone will be able to help me to find out what is wrong with my knee. I have no quality of life right now as I have been housebound for 6 weeks, on very strong painkillers, using a stick to move around. I have still had to pull Richard out of a chair, clean and shower him, and he leans on me to walk........I can't stand the pain anymore I actually scream with it at times when I am helping Richard. If I could get a scan I have read that I could go privately and pay in installments which i would do. Sorry to ramble, it is a nightmare situation that we as carers can come across and dread, just shows how vulnerable we are.
I spoke to the social worker who sort of laughed and said 'yeah i have lots of things wrong with me too' !!
His advice was don't book Richard for respite now wait a while as I won't be able to resolve my knee problem in 6 weeks, in other words carry on! A care home manager is coming to our home to assess Richard, so I presume he will be in respite late this week/early next week.
I spoke to the social worker who sort of laughed and said 'yeah i have lots of things wrong with me too' !!
His advice was don't book Richard for respite now wait a while as I won't be able to resolve my knee problem in 6 weeks, in other words carry on! A care home manager is coming to our home to assess Richard, so I presume he will be in respite late this week/early next week.