In laws need carers to visit at home - best way to go about this?

[Lottapianos]

In laws are both medically unwell. She has just come out of hospital (heart failure, possible COPD, poorly managed diabetes), he is likely to be admitted tomorrow (heart failure, cirrhosis, ascites amongst other things). Neither of them are fit to do daily tasks like shopping, cooking, laundry, cleaning.

What is the best way to go about arranging carers to visit once or twice a day? They live in Cornwall (we're in London) and I'm planning to do a social care referral via the council, but would value any advice or experiences. Thanks

Thank you MereDint. And thank you all for your advice. It's our first time dealing with ill parents who need support and it's all a bit overwhelming, so I'm very grateful for the guidance

It might be worth asking if there’s a local Community Matron/long-term conditions nursing team who work in the community. Here’s the link:
www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/community-nursing-teams/

@Lottapianos think carefully about what activities your parents can’t do or have problems with. Think about the worst day and think about what they can do alone and not with help. My mum has ‘just’ mobility problems and she qualified at higher rate. She can make a simple meal but she can’t stand without support and she can’t get out of bed quickly so often doesn’t make the loo. She does get dressed but it takes her a long time and she cant wear certain garments because she can’t get them on. Sounds like you could use some help thinking the form through in relation to personal circumstance. My reason for doing this was I think a common one - it gave me a chance to get in paid help. I was also mindful that benefits can be withdraw. So I thought best to act sooner rather than later. It was a massive relief to get the higher rate - it’s opened up options and choices to improve quality of life which is exactly how it should be.

Yes - you've had good advice-
on the attendance allowance form you write all health conditions - don't forget things like heart or breathing/lung problems, reduced mobility from past falls (eg fractures) or unsteadiness or for eg arthritis or whatever , even repeated anaemia can cause disability. Disability is where a physical or psychological or mental well-being impairment impacts significantly on someone's ability to do activities or daily living - making food, drinks, carrying them through without spilling or scalding self, bending down, washing dressing , getting in and out of bed and mobilising around property / outside and stairs , getting to toilet (in time) , adjusting clothes, reminding to take tablets, all those kinds of things. Remember to include sensory issues such as being hard of hearing or failing sight and I'd have trouble bending and rising to stand. Also if any memory problems.

Lower rate AA is for those that need help in the day, but are safe once in bed, whether that's equipment related calls or actual help from a person, higher rate AA is for those who also need supervision and help sometimes in the night - for eg if need a pendant alarm if have had falls in night or have health condition that could count- or need help to move around bed, reposition, reminding to go back to bed as middle up if night and day, or help to get up to use toilet for example.

Also to add into AA in relevant section- if parents have any equipment, refer to that, such as
-Bath or shower rails, rails by steps,
-perching stool, shower chair, bath seat,
-sock aids, easy reach grabber stick, special slippers or shoes as they can't reach or need extra support
-having medication put in nomad or other medication dispensers,

-commode, toilet grab rails, frame around toilet (Mowbray frame) , raised toilet seat

• chair raiser or riser recliner chair, bed lever etc...
• hearing loop or flashing doorbell etc ,magnifying glass

You'd be surprised the OT or disability equipment that older people end up acquiring without realising it's essential helpful stuff

www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance

Although the HMGov website says it doesn't cover mobility needs, it means not in same was as the old DLA, now PiP does. So you won't get a separate award for needing help to walk far outside.

However if your parents have mobilit needs such as slow to walk use a frame or sticks , can't bend far, then their reduced mobility due to (arthritis, falls, blood pressure, shortness of breath , health conditions etc..) will impact on ability to do their care tasks - so it is relevant.

Remember also the non-"official" work-arounds - eg mobilising by way of furniture (even if there are no grab rails fitted). Sliding pans along the work surface rather than picking them up and carrying them indicates a need.

When you're filling in the form, don't think about what they can do, think about what they can't do. They may be able to "cook a meal", but if that means filling the kettle by repeatedly tipping in small jug of water because they can't carry a full kettle, never using anything other than the microwave because they can't carry pans, that's worth documenting. Are they able to organise shopping or do they keep running out of food? The fact they have found a work around doesn't mean the underlying need has gone away.

Best to do it without their involvement if possible. I remember an OT and me helping a friend with MH troubles claim AA - he crumpled before our eyes as he filled in the form and realised how many things he was unable to do.

If they have hearing aids then arthritis in their hands can mean they struggle with the batteries. That then means they can't communicate effectively (memory issues and good hands have the same effect). If they use a walking stick in the house then it's difficult to carry a dinner tray at the same time or a load of laundry. Can they get on a bus? Once I started filling the form in, saved it and thought about it then there was so much more that I accepted as "normal" that really wasn't (including filling the kettle with a little jug)

If they are self funders then AA continues if they ever need residential care.