Hi All
I'm not new here, but it has been a while since I last posted. I initially found huge support here when at breaking point caring for both elderly parents. Dad passed away 2 years ago, so it is now just Mum. She has Alzheimer's, but has lived at home pretty successfully for the 3 years with help from me, my sister and outside carers. However inevitably her condition has got worse over the past few months.
We all acknowledge that she as at a stage of needing 24/7 care. She is increasingly confused, lonely and needs constant reassurance, as is common with Alzheimer's. She also forgets that she has seen us, so although she may have had company 6 days of the week, she won't remember that in the 7th day when she has less contact and will swear blind she's not seen anyone all week. She also left the tap on and flooded the kitchen last week in the 2 hours between my sister and a carer going in, so is starting to pose a risk to herself when we are not there.
She herself says 'she needs to go in somewhere' and in normal times I think we would be looking for a care home. However in light of the lack of visiting in homes this feels barbaric. She still knows us and gets huge joy from children and grandchildren, to cut this off feels awful. So is there another way? Has anyone experience of having maybe a live in carer in someone's own home? How would we arrange this, what are the pros and cons? On a temporary basis my sister and I could probably cover half the week, so would be looking for someone part time. She will be self funding as has savings of around £50,000 and receives full attendance allowance. She owns her own home. Any help and thoughts gratefully appreciated.
I'm not new here, but it has been a while since I last posted. I initially found huge support here when at breaking point caring for both elderly parents. Dad passed away 2 years ago, so it is now just Mum. She has Alzheimer's, but has lived at home pretty successfully for the 3 years with help from me, my sister and outside carers. However inevitably her condition has got worse over the past few months.
We all acknowledge that she as at a stage of needing 24/7 care. She is increasingly confused, lonely and needs constant reassurance, as is common with Alzheimer's. She also forgets that she has seen us, so although she may have had company 6 days of the week, she won't remember that in the 7th day when she has less contact and will swear blind she's not seen anyone all week. She also left the tap on and flooded the kitchen last week in the 2 hours between my sister and a carer going in, so is starting to pose a risk to herself when we are not there.
She herself says 'she needs to go in somewhere' and in normal times I think we would be looking for a care home. However in light of the lack of visiting in homes this feels barbaric. She still knows us and gets huge joy from children and grandchildren, to cut this off feels awful. So is there another way? Has anyone experience of having maybe a live in carer in someone's own home? How would we arrange this, what are the pros and cons? On a temporary basis my sister and I could probably cover half the week, so would be looking for someone part time. She will be self funding as has savings of around £50,000 and receives full attendance allowance. She owns her own home. Any help and thoughts gratefully appreciated.