Carer to visit to help with admin tasks?

[NetZeroZealot]

Does this role exist? Elderly DP (late '80s) don't need any personal care but finding it hard to cope with a lot of life admin.

e.g. food well past it's use by date in the fridge, several bags of potatoes in the larder, forgetting whether they've taken their medicine, figuring out computer glitches, etc. My Dad seems to have forgotten how to find his programmes on the TV so Mum has to do it for him

I live an hour away and work full time, but have started going to see them once a week, and there is always some problem that needs solving. I

I am wondering if it isn't time to get someone in to help them for a few hours a week, but not sure if these roles exist?

They already have a lovely cleaner who comes twice a week and a lodger who lives in a self-contained annexe (don't want to put upon her too much) but I think more help is needed. Any advice please? They have plenty of money although persuading them to spend it is a different issue.

We've used Home Instead for companion care for elderly relatives and it's worked well. My MIL refers to the carers as her new friends. They have a car, take her out, help sort out the recycling etc. It can help to say they need to put it in place before they need it, so it's there for the future. I've heard good things about them in 3 cities, definitely worth a chat if you have a local branch.

I'd try and ask them to have a memory test at the gp and a medication review. There are pill reminder gadgets you can get or dossette trays made up by the pharmacist. . I wouldn't expect them to sort out computer glitches. Could you do online supermarket shopping for them and set up standing orders for their bills.
With the tv I'd write in big letters each channel and the number on a piece of card and a large face remote.
Have you discussed power of attorney with them yet. That would help with looking after their finances. There are private agencies who would do these things. Look at Home Instead and similar sites.
As they are struggling a bit they might benefit from small aids or adaptations in the house. A lot of these are free through the gp or therapists after an assessment.

I agree with the home instead worked well for my MIL.

Thanks. Already have LPA sorted. Mum is quite computer literate, and does her own online grocery shopping. But she sometimes does an order a few days after the first one and orders the same stuff again. And the freezer is completely full of food.
They have the trays for Dad's pills which Mum refills but I think he's forgetting to take them sometimes.

Home Instead are good and with your mum’s permission they would involve you in discussing what is needed.

Will the cleaner sort the food thing out?

Tech-wise I pay one of my friend's teenage sons to go round and reinstall WhatsApp (phone) and iplayer on the TV, re-explain how to use both etc. They also take parcels to the post office, pick stuff up and scan and email post that has gone to oldies house that I need to see between my visits up (I live 400 miles away).

Teen and my Oldie apparently have a nice chat and a cup of tea. Oldie was a teacher, and went to the same Uni as teen 1 and it seems to be appreciated on both sides. Teen 2 has taken over but is shortly going off to Uni and a different friends child has already approached me about taking it on.

There is also a paid companion that the oldie found herself involved but she seems to faff around, not do stuff that needs doing and generates an awful lot of jobs that need additional payment to complete. eg. taking a small bag of stuff to the charity shop after her shift has finished. So don't end up in this situation with someone you don't trust/ think is taking the piss.

Oh and start getting your PoA registered places before you need it (see my long running thread of doom if you need more information about why getting it sorted is a total and utter ball ache).

Is it something you could ask the cleaner if they'd be interested in? They might be keen on picking up an extra couple of hours on their normal days to go through fridge/freezer, meal plan, sort paperwork etc.

I asked the cleaner if she could check for the food going off in the fridge and she said she'd keep an eye on it, but doesn't seem to have done it. I don't want to push it with her or risk upsetting her because she is absolutely lovely and DP adore her. She doesn't have any more spare hours unfortunately.
I will speak to home instead, thank you they seem to be highly recommended.

Agree about Home Instead. But ensure the agency is clear you need carers who can use computer/ be literate in English/ whatever you need.

Age uk have volunteer services in some areas. Have as look at their website and see what they offer in your parents area.

I'm just introducing them to my dad. They came for initial assessment yesterday. Seemed fabulous. Dad's 92 and 2.5 hours away.

Experience of Home Instead with DH's parents was dreadful and very expensive. I would avoid the like the plague.

DH's sister found a PA who works independently and she is amazing.

That's interesting as others speak so highly of them. I'd love to know the issues as I'm quite far down the road with them? I guess it also depends where in the country you are. Feel free to DM me if you don't want to post on here. Thanks.

We have people advertise on our local Facebook who do this (I know one of them).

She used to work in a care home and now works for herself as a "general help" for the elderly. She doesn't do personal care but charges by the hour (cheaper than an agency) and does whatever the person/family want her to do in that time.

It includes taking them to appointments, helping with admin, doing shopping, prepping meals, cleaning etc.

Might be worth having a look on your local social media (obv make sure they've a current dbs check and insurance)

They are expensive but our experience has been that you get what you pay for. We've assumed they pay slightly higher wages and get better staff. I think it's a franchise so will vary from area to area. But we've found them good in two different cities and heard good things about them in a third.

Of course employing someone directly would be cheaper, but you'd have to find the right person. And there are some dangers of plausible but dishonest carers potentially taking advantage of vulnerable elderly people, so you need to be very careful who you take on.

Perhaps check with @ZippyDoodle which area? And ask on local forums if anyone has experience of Home Instead locally.