Cryptic title but hey..I'm tired.
Mum has been discharged from hospital (again
) but this time she has got a careworker coming in, first time she has ever had this. She doesn't really like the idea but has acknowledged that she needs more help than we and her neighbour can provide for her.
At the moment she doesn't need to pay for the service (it's called reablement and it is set up by the hospital with Social Services) but after 4-6 weeks that will stop.
So..we have to employ a careworker. Social Services have told me that it will probably be chaeper to find one ourselves rather than through them, mum has considerable savings after scrimping and saving for all of her life so she would not be eligible for any help.
They have sent me a list of agencies they use which I am going to look into but am also thinking of maybe taking on someone that mum knows, we will have to think about it.
At present she is getting 4 visits a day. An hour in the morning to get her out of bed, help her to the loo and stay with her while she washes, she needs help to get dressed now. CW will make her a cuppa and toast for brekkie and ensure she is settled in her chair. She returns at lunchtime, today she supported mum to make her own cooked lunch (brill!!) but she could make a sarnie for mum if needed. A quick visit at teatime and then an hour at bedtime to get her toileted, washed and undressed, and into bed. She is also supervising mum's meds which are in a marked blister pack.
We anticipate that that some of these needs will lessen but not significantly, dressing and making food will still need assisstance as she has become forgetful. Where do we start?
I'm guessing this is what's called personal care but how do I find out about average costs, how to make sure we get someone reliable, do I need to do anything about tax (gulp), seriously...I haven't got a clue where to start and it's scary.
Any pointers that anyone could give would be gratefully received.
Thanks

Mum has been discharged from hospital (again

At the moment she doesn't need to pay for the service (it's called reablement and it is set up by the hospital with Social Services) but after 4-6 weeks that will stop.
So..we have to employ a careworker. Social Services have told me that it will probably be chaeper to find one ourselves rather than through them, mum has considerable savings after scrimping and saving for all of her life so she would not be eligible for any help.
They have sent me a list of agencies they use which I am going to look into but am also thinking of maybe taking on someone that mum knows, we will have to think about it.
At present she is getting 4 visits a day. An hour in the morning to get her out of bed, help her to the loo and stay with her while she washes, she needs help to get dressed now. CW will make her a cuppa and toast for brekkie and ensure she is settled in her chair. She returns at lunchtime, today she supported mum to make her own cooked lunch (brill!!) but she could make a sarnie for mum if needed. A quick visit at teatime and then an hour at bedtime to get her toileted, washed and undressed, and into bed. She is also supervising mum's meds which are in a marked blister pack.
We anticipate that that some of these needs will lessen but not significantly, dressing and making food will still need assisstance as she has become forgetful. Where do we start?
I'm guessing this is what's called personal care but how do I find out about average costs, how to make sure we get someone reliable, do I need to do anything about tax (gulp), seriously...I haven't got a clue where to start and it's scary.
Any pointers that anyone could give would be gratefully received.
Thanks