Not sure where to start... Advice welcome?

[Elb]

Hi all,

My father has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimers. My father lives at home and retired 4 years ago after he got cancer, however he has made a full recovery from this. My father lives with my mum who still works full time as a cleaner and my brother whom also lives with my parents, is currently not working as he is caring for my father. I live in the same village and have a very young daughter.

I'm not sure where to start with looking for support for my mother and brother, what financial support we can gain, and how my brother and mum can both work if my dad can't be left on his own which is what the social worker who viewed dad said?

Where do we start? And how can we make things easier for all? My father refuses to socialise and us very stubborn which makes things harder.

Any advice or support would be greatly received.

Thank you

 

[Batsue]

@ Elb

Is your dad receiving Attendance Allowance, if he is your brother may be able to claim Carers Allowance.

 

[concerned4]

Not sure which part of the country you are in, do you have an Alzheimer's Society near by, a check on their website will let you know, have you spoken with your local authorities? If not I would make contact & ask what help is available, best doing it as soon as you can as speaking from experience with own local authority depends greatly on which care manager is assigned you your family, all the best.

 

[Bunpoots]

Welcome to Dementia Talking Point @Elb

As @reedysue has already said your dad is entitled to attendance allowance and then either your brother or mum can get carer’s allowance as long as they don’t earn more than about £123 a week. So if your brother wants to get a job your mum could still continue to work part time if she can get your dad a place in a daycare centre.

Has your dad set up a Lasting Power of Attorney so that you mum can help him with his finances. This needs to be done while your dad is still able to understand and agree to it. It’s also available for Health and Welfare and can be done online - much cheaper than using a solicitor.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwi40OTvlfvmAhUTUBUIHWCwDDoQFjAAegQIAxAD&url=https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney&usg=AOvVaw2ofp5z-

 

[nae sporran]

Welcome to DTP @Elb.
AgeUK are helpful if you need advice with applying for attendance allowance and carers allowance, so they are worth calling. Carers allowance is only £66 a week, but attendance allowance for your dad on top of that would take some pressure off your brother. I think your parents could also get a discount on his council tax, but AgeUK can confirm the criteria for that.
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/find-support-near-you will help you find your local Alz Soc office and https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/in-your-area/ will help find them.

Good luck

 

[Ruth1974]

Attendance allowence is a statt but social work can not force anyone to give up work and become full time carers.

Hi all,

My father has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimers. My father lives at home and retired 4 years ago after he got cancer, however he has made a full recovery from this. My father lives with my mum who still works full time as a cleaner and my brother whom also lives with my parents, is currently not working as he is caring for my father. I live in the same village and have a very young daughter.

I'm not sure where to start with looking for support for my mother and brother, what financial support we can gain, and how my brother and mum can both work if my dad can't be left on his own which is what the social worker who viewed dad said?

Where do we start? And how can we make things easier for all? My father refuses to socialise and us very stubborn which makes things harder.

Any advice or support would be greatly received.

Thank you

 

[Elb]

Hi everyone, you have all Been fantastic and I really appreciate all of your support and advice, it certainly has helped to guide me in the right direction. I will look into all of your advice... Fingers crossed we can get some support. Best wishes to all xxx

 

[Lladro]

Hi, I can echo the previous advice given: Attendance allowance for you Dad, Carers allowance for you or your brother - both can be applied for on-line. Council tax relief (25%) can be applied for online form the local authority too. POA is relatively straight forward to do on-line and is imperative. Regarding socialising - My Wife was probably the most reluctant person in the whole world to initially tell anyone the fact that she had Alzheimers and then probably the most reluctant person in the world to actually go and socialise with anyone who also had Alzheimers - both of these stumbling blocks have been overcome - although it did take 12 months plus... The point that I am trying to make is that it is possible to overcome these stumbling blocks and things do change. Take heart - there are lots of us out here and we understand . Best wishes