Help for carers

[Kahu]

My DM has recently received a diagnosis of Alzheimer's. She lives with my step father who has been coping really well with everything. I am frustrated and sad as I live overseas and am unable to give any practical support to them both.

They are coping at the moment but we are all aware that things will become more difficult as things progress.

I was hoping that someone might be able to help me figure out what kind of resources are available for them both now and in the future. I am thinking thinks like Carers' Allowance, is there any provision for respite care, any other resources I should know about?

As I am not in the UK, I am feeling a bit lost as to where to go to get them information and practical help rather than muddling along. Many thanks!

Most provision comes via social services so can depend on what is available locally. Your best bet is to make sure they have an assessment and see if there is a local advocacy group who can guide you through the rest. There is a need to go out and get what's needed, it doesn't all come knocking on the door with diagnosis unfortunately and is a bit of a postcode lottery. Maybe someone on MN lives local to your folks and can advise?

Good luck.

Thank you!

Two things I would flag up are,

Local authorities will not usually become involved, until either your mum or step-dad approach them. You can only organise help for them which is outside the remit of the LA. The only exemption to this is if one of them is in danger.

If you can organise PoA this would be a good time to do it, while they are both able to understand. If things get worse, for example, your step father's health starts to fail, you can then make calls, pay bills, arrange care on their behalf.

Sadly I have experience of this and if you need to Pm me, please feel free to do so.

Thank you Florentina!

The best thing for your step dad to do is to contact the local carers centre - they have been fantastic in making my dad apply for everything he's entitled to as mums carer.

Otherwise, certainly in their area, help is very hard to come by. If your SD is the sort to go to groups, there may be some around - in my town theres an exercise one for those with dementia and their carers and regular coffee mornings for instance.

PoA is vital to get organised now while your mum still has competency.

POA sorted for both of them.

It hard to talk about all these things with them isn't it? Mum is aware of what's happening / will happen, it must feel awful.