Who and how to ask for help

[Tavy]

My OH has VD and I would like to know the method of getting some help with things like shopping, housework, care etc.
Who do I approach and how.
What are the costs and how are they determined.
Means testing methods.
Anything I should be aware of as I may miss something.
She was diagnosed in December but apart from a telephone call to ask about her medication nothing sems to happen.
Thank you for any help.

 

[phill]

Contact the Adult Social Care department of your local council, and ask them to undertake an assessment of (a) your OH’s community care needs, and (b) an assessment of your needs as her carer. The council’s website may contain a request form for this, but if it doesn’t, it will say which phone number or email address to use in order to request these assessments. They will also explain to you how they calculate an individual’s care and support costs, and what they take into account when calculating how much (if anything) she is liable to contribute.

 

[Chizz]

Hi @Tavy
Welcome to this forum. Many carers with great experience will be able to help, I'm sure.
Also, lots of info on the Alz Soc website for your to browse.

I don't know what area you are in, but in my area the Local Authority Adult Social Services produce a booklet called "Your Guide to Independent Living, Support and Care Services" which contains a lot of info about health and wellbeing, getting out and about, staying independent at home, managing health and support need, paying for care, etc plus useful tele numbers, websites, charities and local organisations and care companies' contact details. Check with your LA ASS to see if they do a similar one.

You can ask and you are entitled to receive from LA ASS a care assessment - a report to say what care they think your OH needs and a carer's assessment to state what help you need. In some areas there is a bit of a waiting list for these, and you may need to push.

You'll find lots of care companies online in your area. You can then choose which ones you want to investigate further about what they do, what their charges are, whether they can cope tith your OH's needs and whether they have sufficient staff to fit you in, or have a waiting list. Charges depend, obviously, on what you want to have done, how often, and area to area variations.

Yes, charges for care are means tested - that is your OH (not you) is means tested, by the LA. If you don't want this, then it is not compulsory, but a refusal to participate in a means test will be taken to me that your OH has assets in excess of the £23,250 limit and would be self funding. If your OH has assets that exceed £23,250 in value (excluding the property you live in together) then your OH would be liable to pay for her own care, as a self funder. All self funders are on their own to arrange and pay for such care as you choose. If your OH has assets that are valued at £14,000 or less, then the LA ASS are liable to pay for the care, and they choose the care company or care home (that will accept the level at which they will pay). If the assets' value is between £23,250 and £14,000 then your OH would have to contribute towards the care costs with the LA ASS.

That's a start!

Best wishes.

 

[Banjomansmate]

Have you applied for Attendance Allowance? That will go some way towards paying for some form of care that will help your OH, or take some of the pressure off you.

 

[Tavy]

Many thanks for the replies.
I had applied for AA and it was refused, I have spoken with a benefits expert, and he says that I should have loaded all my OH needs and not to assume they are there to help me or the OH.
We push on, I learn so much every day, not however from those who I think will help. One approach ended with me be bomb barded with sales reps.

 

[Grannie G]

AgeUK will help you fill in AA claims forms @Tavy

Age UK services in your area

Find out what services Age UK runs on a local level

www.ageuk.org.uk

 

[lollyc]

We push on, I learn so much every day, not however from those who I think will help.

And isn't that the problem for so many of us? We are given a diagnosis and cast adrift to get on with it, with no idea of what we might need and where we might get it. I have said before, even if we were just given a booklet with details of groups to attend, how to access AA, Carers' Allowance, where to get incontinence help, etc., etc. it would be a start.

 

[Grannie G]

Would this help @lollyc

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-03/helpsheet-10-how-can-a-carer-for-a-person-with-dementia-get-support.pdf

 

[maggie6445]

My OH has VD and I would like to know the method of getting some help with things like shopping, housework, care etc.
Who do I approach and how.
What are the costs and how are they determined.
Means testing methods.
Anything I should be aware of as I may miss something.
She was diagnosed in December but apart from a telephone call to ask about her medication nothing sems to happen.
Thank you for any help.

Hello @Tavy, do you have a local Dementia Friendly, Dementia UK or Alzheimer's centre in your area. My Dementia Friendly centre is my lifeline. All volunteers and paid staff are very helpful and not only have professional but personal experience ..
They offer support, access to Carers Resource and run coffee clubs ,singing group and craft sessions. Carers stay with PWD but the volunteers take the strain while the carers get the chance to chat to others in their situation

You learn a lot about caring and get support from other carers. It may not have been your idea of socialising before but as your pwd becomes less able then it's definitely worth going and giving it a try.
You'll be welcome and make new friends.

 

[lollyc]

Would this help @lollyc

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-03/helpsheet-10-how-can-a-carer-for-a-person-with-dementia-get-support.pdf

Fortunately, my mother died 2 years ago., but thank you.
However, what I could really have done with was something specific to my local area, and also some indication of what to expect. I was given a card with AS number on it.
Your leaflet directs to other leaflets or points of contact. As a carer I just wanted it all in one place.

 

[ChaceSoto]

From what I remember, how much care costs can change based on what your partner needs and how much money you both have. The council might pay for some or all of it, but they'll do a check (called means testing) to see if your partner has to pay anything. This check looks at her money, what she owns, and her savings. Different councils might have different rules, but they all have to follow some overall guidelines.Besides the council, there are local groups and charities that can help with things like shopping, cleaning, and care. Sometimes, these services might be free or not cost much.