Dear Magic,
I've just spent a very interesting morning having a Carer's Assessment with an extremely helpful lady from our local Social Care Team. This team is actually part of the SS, which is pretty amazing given the level of help and assistance I received today.
Several points came up which will be of great help to you I think - hence the speedy post now.
The Social Care Team exist to provide assistance solely for carers. They do so in a number of ways which are directly and indirectly financially based.
Firstly, there is a financial assessment to ascertain whether the carer is eligible for direct financial assistance in the form of fortnightly payments. This is means tested solely on the individual's finances, not on one's parents' financial status.
Secondly, help is provided by way of provision of an annual supply of Carer's Vouchers, which is based on the level of required support, rather than one's private financial situation. The maximum amount of vouchers awarded are at a value of approx £2000 per annum. These vouchers can then be redeemed for various services, such as respite care for AD sufferers, Agency Care Assistance, travel expenses, etc. A list of registered bodies that will accept the vouchers is posted on your local County Council Website.
So Magic, what you need to do is to ring your local Dept of Social Security and your local County Council Social Care Team and arrange for a Carer's Assessment pronto. You should explain the urgency of your situation and I'm hopeful that a local rep will arrive very rapidly. There is a large form to be completed [isn't there always?] but you can do that on the spot with the rep.
My assessment this morning resolved some burning issues, the major one being that I have absolutely NO personal money in the UK and had previously been refused a Carer's Allowance on the grounds that I am technically a non-resident. That is to be dealt with immediately on the grounds that it was 'ridiculous to suppose that I could exist on fresh air'. I have also been granted as many Carer Vouchers that this lady can lay her hands on at present, to assist me when Carole & Glyn go on a fortnight's leave at the end of September.
After our meeting, I explained a bit about my association with the AD Society and outlined your case [naming no names, of course]. The rep was appalled at your CPN's reaction and said that your situation would be deemed as an 'extreme emergency' and that you should contact your Social Care Team immediately.
Do hope this will be of help to you.
Chin up Magic - help is on the way by the sound of things.
Jude xxx