Care for father with Parkinson’s

[SussexPup]

My father who is 88 has advanced Parkinson’s, he is still at home with my 87 year old mother as his sole carer for personal needs. Mentally he is fully capable, but at times he is totally immobile. I have finally managed to get their agreement to help with finding carers (long battle..... they are fiercely independent). Thankfully money is not a problem and they will be able to pay for whatever is needed. I am looking for advice on how to get started with this obviously Google is my friend, but any tips would be most useful They are in South London. Thank you for any help!

Sorry about your dad. It's a difficult illness. Does he have a parkinsons nurse you could talk to. I would speak to them and his g.p. about getting his needs assessed to see what help he would need and what adaptations could be made at home to make life easier for them. Your mum can also ask for a carers assessment.

www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/local-groups

www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/money-grants-and-benefits

www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease/living-with/

Sorry to hear that help is necessary.

We had good experiences with visiting carers from

www.homeinstead.co.uk

and live in carers from

www.countrycousins.co.uk

Hope it goes well for you and your family.

Thank you for these suggestions - unfortunately there is no Parkinson's nurse in our area, but my mother is in touch with the Parkinson's society so we will explore options there.
@FinallyHere Homeinstead was one of the agencies I had found in my searches so it is good to have a recommendation for them also.

Meant also to ask - any advice on questions we should ask/things to check during assessment visits?

The assessors will be very experienced and quite used to dealing with people who are new to care so you will be able to rely on them quite a lot to cover all the important bases. Social Services can help with the assessment, just give them a ring. Expect care to be expensive. Also start considering power of attorney, wills, advance decisions etc and keep an eye out for local care homes that can offer respite stays for your dad.

what area in South London are they? If you look up the CHC assessment guide it shows you what sort of things assessors look for when they visit clients

Everyone is entitled to an assessment from Social Services even if you suspect they will be self funding. It’s a good place to start- they can then give you a list of agencies in the area that you can choose from.

@PurpleWithRed thanks Wills and POA are in place, but thanks for the other suggestions - makes my heart break to think about it, but needs must.....
@HappyHammy they are in Croydon. Thanks for the info about the CHC guide - was not aware of that - tonight's reading.
@BertandQueenieforever - thanks will follow up one Social Services.

Look on this page to download the "checklist" and the "decision support tool"
www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-continuing-healthcare-checklist

Thank you all for the very helpful suggestions