Care for old age

[rabet]

I have an elderly relative whose health,mental and physical, is deteriorating. She lives alone but this will soon become difficult. Please can anyone suggest where I might get some help/advice on care homes, financial arrangements etc.?

[woofgang]

Age Concern http://www.ageuk.org.uk/
and your local social services

[rabet]

Thanks for that.

[mazie]

When I had this problem with my Mum, I started with her Doctor, she was then allocated a social worker and the social worker arranged for her to have a care team visit her 3 times a day. In the end that was not sufficient and she is now in a local Care home...and really enjoying it. My Mum has health issues and dementia and she's 86. Hope that helps but if you have more questions please ask

[frankief]

The local authority will be the first contact. Look on the internet, I know that ours had a contact form which you fill in and a member of social services then contacts you within 48 hours.
They then come round and assesses the needs of the person, they will then bring in any other carers etc.
Be prepared for a lot of form filling!

[rabet]

Thanks Mazie. May I ask if you had to pay for the care team?

[mazie]

Yes, rabet, a proportion of it. My mum was getting a care allowance so that went towards the care team. They sent someone round initially to talk through my Mums finances (from the Local council) They looked at her savings, her income and outgoings and a price was agreed based on that. It left her enought to live on. She was in warden aided accommodation before the care home. It worked well for a while and then the dementia progressed,hence the care home. Everyone I dealt with was really good. I know some AB member have not had such a good social worker as we had and its been a bit of a nightmare for them

[rabet]

Thanks again.

[mazie]

Any time. Just ask x