I have posted once before on the 'younger people with dementia' site but as this is a general enquiry I thought this would be more appropriate.
My mother-in-law lives alone and has been assessed by Social Services as requiring 2 hours help 3 times a week and assistance with taking medication each morning and evening. 13 hours a week in total. In addition to this, she gets practical help and support from her sister, friends and of course myself and my husband. None of us, is in a position to help any more than we do at present on any kind of structured basis although obviously crisis are dealt with as they arise. She gets on fairly well with one of her carers and very well with the other so all in all it's working quite well.
We were asked to complete a financial assessment of my MIL finances last week and this has prompted us to start thinking about things. Looking at the limited info we were given, it looks as though my MIL will have to make a fairly sizeable contribution to the cost of her care. Partially I think this is because she is under 65. We are in Scotland. I don't know if this makes any difference.
She does receive the lowest level of DLA. She has had this for a few years because of arthritis. I wondered if she would be eligible for any higher rate of DLA because of the dementia even though she has not been diagnosed. If she was this would help to offset the cost of the care package which the Social Worker has said will inevitably increase. Money is one of the few things that upsets my MIL. She constantly says she doesn't have any and asks me permission before she spends any. Are we expecting too much by hoping that Social Services would advise on this. I can't help feeling that she is falling through the net a bit and don't know if this is because she is under 65.
My MIL has not been diagnosed formally yet although after more than a year of assessment she is now being referred to a geriatric pychiatrist. So we have not had any contact with the local AS group. She has also waited a long time for a Day Centre place which I feel would be very beneficial.
I just wanted to make sure that we are doing our best by her but don't quite know who to ask for help.
Also, the issue of Power of attourney. My husband is an only child and has dealt with all bills etc for a long time. Now my MIL asks what name she should sign on the cheque. It makes us think we should do something sooner rather than later but again, we don't know if we can if my MIL has not been diagnosed. Do we have to approach a solicitor and do we need my MIL GP to write something too?
Hoping someone with past experience can help us with this.
My mother-in-law lives alone and has been assessed by Social Services as requiring 2 hours help 3 times a week and assistance with taking medication each morning and evening. 13 hours a week in total. In addition to this, she gets practical help and support from her sister, friends and of course myself and my husband. None of us, is in a position to help any more than we do at present on any kind of structured basis although obviously crisis are dealt with as they arise. She gets on fairly well with one of her carers and very well with the other so all in all it's working quite well.
We were asked to complete a financial assessment of my MIL finances last week and this has prompted us to start thinking about things. Looking at the limited info we were given, it looks as though my MIL will have to make a fairly sizeable contribution to the cost of her care. Partially I think this is because she is under 65. We are in Scotland. I don't know if this makes any difference.
She does receive the lowest level of DLA. She has had this for a few years because of arthritis. I wondered if she would be eligible for any higher rate of DLA because of the dementia even though she has not been diagnosed. If she was this would help to offset the cost of the care package which the Social Worker has said will inevitably increase. Money is one of the few things that upsets my MIL. She constantly says she doesn't have any and asks me permission before she spends any. Are we expecting too much by hoping that Social Services would advise on this. I can't help feeling that she is falling through the net a bit and don't know if this is because she is under 65.
My MIL has not been diagnosed formally yet although after more than a year of assessment she is now being referred to a geriatric pychiatrist. So we have not had any contact with the local AS group. She has also waited a long time for a Day Centre place which I feel would be very beneficial.
I just wanted to make sure that we are doing our best by her but don't quite know who to ask for help.
Also, the issue of Power of attourney. My husband is an only child and has dealt with all bills etc for a long time. Now my MIL asks what name she should sign on the cheque. It makes us think we should do something sooner rather than later but again, we don't know if we can if my MIL has not been diagnosed. Do we have to approach a solicitor and do we need my MIL GP to write something too?
Hoping someone with past experience can help us with this.