Advice Wanted On Moving A Bed Bound 96 Year Old Mother-In-Law.

[RATTER15]

Ok, as some of you will know carakeel's mother lives with us, she is bed bound and has dementia, she has been supplied with a hoist, an electric hospital type bed and electric airflow mattress, a overhead fitted hoist and a wheel chair. Now my question is, do we take all this equipment with us from Devon to Wales or is it to be handed back, also will there be anyway we could have the costs covered of moving MIL via ambulance or would the NHS do that for us?

It "appears" we have a buyer for the house so we need to start the planning phase. Moving MIL is the most difficult part as we also need to organise care to start immediately we arrive in Wales as she has carers 4 times a day, it is a bit of a logistical nightmare.

[anneasquith]

well. best thing would be to contact your health board for advice. or what about dementia care association for advice.

[tonyav]

Can't answer your question RATTER, but good luck, I'm glad your plans are coming to fruition.

[woofgang]

Social services should be able to help with the care liaison bit so talk to them NOW. The equipment...in Hampshire, the equipment remains the property of the equipment store which is jointly funded between health and social services. Get on to them about what to do. I suspect they will want it back but again will sort out getting the same for you at the other end. I have a nasty feeling that what you get will depend on how flush the service in wales are, its not a national thing. I don't think that you can get funding for the transport but its worth asking. Would you consider MIL going into res care for the duration of the move as logistically it would make things much much easier? Again ask about funding.
There may be charitable funding to help you with the move and so on.
basically go and talk to Social Service right now as I bet your first answer will be "I dunno" and people will be able then to go and check. Talk also to Social Service where you will be moving to and if you can, get her sorted with a local GP so he/she can liaise with your GP here.
Any more questions then shout....

[DJHawkes]

Any kind of move is going to involve an awful lot of upheaval and disturbance, would it be possible to just make the one big move into a nirsing home in the short term whilst you organise everything for yourselves and her and then when everything settles and is ready in your new place she joins you when it is less stressful for everyone?

[whiskeryron]

Sorry to be a pain here but surely it would be more stressful for MIL to have the trauma of moving TWICE.

WR.

[RATTER15]

I know what you saying about the upheaval for her, we couldnt put her into a nursing home for a single night, it would terrify her, she would never cope, she would crash big time! We will get an ambulance for her one way or another and send her favourite carer with her, that will keep her happy. We have some really lovely carers for her.

We will contact Social Services and her care manager today.

[whiskeryron]

RATTER15 .Good on yer mate.

WR.

[Maydup]

I imagine it would be useful to have the equipment and care all set up in the new house before you set off. Make arrangements in Wales as you did in Devon the first time around and have everything installed and checked before you set off. Have carers booked and all of your registered at the local GP.

In the meantime talk to Social Services in Devon about the move and about the removal of the equipment once you've left. If they are less than helpful talk to Age UK and Dementia Care Association who might just find you a Project Manager or whatever the soft title is!

It will be worth it Ratter, and we all have our fingers crossed for your house sale.

[RATTER15]

Thanks maydup, we cant have anything set up in advance of the move unfortunately due to contract times etc. and the day we move up everything needs to out of the house by midday. So it is a bit of a nightmare, we will sort it and she will be fine im sure, its just going to cause a few nightmares before hand.
Fortunately I am an experienced carer myself so I can ensure her well being for most it.

[woofgang]

how is it going RATTER? Are social services being helpful?

[RATTER15]

Woof, we are waiting for them to sort it out and get back to us, we contacted a private ambulance company to get a price on transporting MIL but they estimated £1100 to take her, the problem is, because of her age they apparently have to go blue light all the way, no one is allowed to travel with her as they use their own staff. That will never happen, She would be terrified of going into the ambulance, more so with no one with her that she knows, if need be we will transport her ourselves in a camper so she can lie in bed. Possibly illegal but she will survive the journey without any problems, that way we can take her regular carers with her. We are still hoping that NHS or SS will help out some how.