What's The Difference Between A Nursing Home And

[emmie]

a care home. I thought they were one and the same thing

[emmie]

LB
she has Alzheimer's and now we have found out she has lung cancer, which is a blow. She was in hospital for a couple of weeks, but she is too old, frail for them to give her chemotherapy or radiotherapy, so it will be medication to help her. She isn't coping alone even with 4 carers visits a day. So between the family we have to decide the next course of action, which could well be a nursing home.
thanks for the links, that's very helpful.

[mikey4444]

It amazes me how people can afford any kind of home for their relatives. £1000 a week is extortionate !

[ummmm]

My nan died last year, grandad two years before that. The nursing home is mainly staffed by care assistants.

[emmie]

mikey
agreed, we will have to see who pays or what percentage she would have to pay. Its moved on quite fast, as she isn;t eating, drinking, so has gone down in weight.

[ummmm]

Yes Mikey, my grandad had to pay privately. They do get some benefits that aren't means tested which get paid to the home and then they pay the balance.

[ummmm]

Emmie - did you look into anti depressants? When Nan stopped eating she was put on them as they increase appetite.

[emmie]

i know she takes a small cocktail of medications, but not an anti depressant, as far as i am aware,
the level of care currently is falling short and she needs more support, hence my question.

[Mamyalynne]

So often in the elderly who have many health issues depression gets overlooked , Ummmm is quite right - it is worth mentioning.

A lowish dose Anti Depressant could lift Mum's mood and encouraging eating too.

[mikey4444]

I am faced with the very real possibility of having to put my brother into a nursing home, certainly for a while and maybe for ever, as he is still not recovering from his head injury of 4 years ago. He is doubly incontinent and is soon to have a PEG feeder fitted, so I doubt whether ordinary cares would be able to cope with his constant medical needs.

Its a very worrying time for us all.

[ladybirder]

I'm sorry to hear your mum is so poorly emmie. You will do your best for her I know. x

[ummmm]

Mamy/Emmie - the anti depressants certainly worked for my Nans appetite. She also had dementia.

Mikey - has your brother got assets to pay?

[mikey4444]

Umm....no.

[ummmm]

The council will have to pay then. The only problem with that is they get a say in which home you go to.

[emmie]

i did ask about the anti depressant but no one got back to me. if she goes back into hospital as seems likely, she is well underweight and with the lung cancer she needs building up again. I will ask for them to get her some anti depressants, i reckon she needs them too.

i am not in a position to aid much, except my brother has power of attorney, and we three have the power over health matters, but my limited mobility means i can't be there when needed, like now.