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Holidays with disabled young adult

12 replies

cansu · 09/02/2024 18:03

Has anyone taken a carer with them on holiday? If so how did it work and how did you pay for it? I am mulling over whether I should try to take a carer with me and dd. Dd is 19 and needs constant care and supervision. I would like to take a holiday. She would have to come with me but it would be tricky alone. Any advice please?

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YogaLite · 12/02/2024 15:33

Yes, a tough one, I am in a similar position and haven't found a way so bumping it for u.

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vjg13 · 12/02/2024 16:36

Do you get direct payments? Does your daughter have a regular carer that you are thinking of asking?

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cansu · 12/02/2024 17:58

No we don't get anything other than she gets her pip money. She actually has quite a lot of savings which could pay for her and potentially a carer. No I don't necessarily have anyone in mind although I was thinking of maybe an LSA who might be interested. I am kind of stuck. I want a holiday. I don't have anywhere she could stay happily without me so am a bit stuck. I think I am going to start looking at respite.

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vjg13 · 12/02/2024 19:50

Have you no support from social care? In my LA we received a small amount of direct payment before my daughter was 18, then she was reassessed shortly before she turned 18 and her direct payment increased substantially so we were able to use it to pay for respite for the first time.

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cansu · 12/02/2024 20:27

I have requested an assessment but am on a waiting list.

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vjg13 · 12/02/2024 21:42

Do keep chasing them, my daughter was waiting 5 months last year to be assigned a social worker. She only got one when I asked about the complaints procedure.

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Lesley25 · 13/02/2024 12:59

Have you thought of putting an advert up for a carer? If that carer could do a few hours at home with you and
then a holiday trip away - a villa or apartment on a complex with restaurants , beach, pools so you’re in the middle of it and you get a break and the carer can do the support.

pm me if you need holiday ideas, my son goes with my husband and they take a friend, and I’ve booked them on complexes like this.
it would work really well with a carer.

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YogaLite · 13/02/2024 14:44

@Lesley25 how does it work, do you pay for all expenses for the carer, ie extra room, meals and also 24/7 hourly rate even if u only need the carer say, daytime? Are there any guidelines about it anywhere?
We don't have any family or friends to ask to join us.

If your suggestions are about UK, I would be grateful if u let me know the places/locations please.

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Lesley25 · 13/02/2024 15:01

Holiday destinations really depend on the type and severity of disability , I know I can’t take my son abroad anymore as it’s not safe for either of us, but we have holidayed in Centre Parcs and places with hydro pools.

I know if I was going to take a carer abroad,
I’d probably pay for flights, accommodation and all meals but I’d use direct payments to pay for 4 hours of the day that I would normally pay a carer for, the advantage being the carer gets a break too as she’s not needed 24/7 but she also gets paid for the hours she does care for that I wouldn’t be in the same room for.
I would’ve done the above but it’s not likely for me now with my son’s disability.

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YogaLite · 13/02/2024 15:48

Thank you @Lesley25 we used to have an agency carer before COVID but ds now goes mostly to a day centre type place. I suppose I could try advertising there as some staff are only part time and we only go away for 2-3 days max now as it's a physical struggle (and very lonely).

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Lesley25 · 13/02/2024 16:02

Oh I know the lonely part… I felt like that during the centre parc years. We only when out to swim and a 15 min bike then back at the lodge the whole time. I stopped when I realised Ds hated being away from home and no amount of luxury lodge could sway that so it wasn’t worth the cost.

ask the day centre staff, put an advert up there, you’d be surprised, it’s a holiday for them too for the majority of the time and they’re being paid to work for the hours they would get at home.

pm me your location, I’m Lancashire based and sometimes I wish I could share my carers with someone like you @YogaLite , I’ve done the prep, DBS checks, employment contracts so it would make sense for someone to benefit as well and the carers, who could and would make more money and a FT job out of doing something they get a lot of satisfaction from.