Newbie

[Ann_190112]

My name is Ann Sword and I'm 76. My husband had part of his lung removed a couple of years ago and has emphysema so is struggling to get around and he has another spot but not sure if cancer returned. He now has a permanent catheter due to prostrate problems. He has early dementia to add to his problems. It hit home just before Christmas the reality of our life now. I work from home which gives me communication with people and things to think of other than caring

[bowlingbun]

Hi Anne,
Welcome to the forum. Can I suggest that you change your forum name so you are not identifiable?

I knew someone with emphysema, very difficult to cope with. As your husband has early dementia, and prostate cancer, that's a huge challenge for you.
Is your husband claiming Attendance Allowance, and you, Carers Allowance?
Claiming exemption from Council Tax - dementia counts as "severe mental impairment".
Do you have power of attorney?
Any help from the NHS or Social Services?

[Amble_180612345]

Definitely try to find out about claiming Carer's Allowance. It will make it possible for you to get some help with the numerous tasks and things you are faced with.
I'm still unsure myself how to arrange for a Carer's Assessment and what exactly they assess.
Hope things go well for you

[susieq]

Definitely try to find out about claiming Carer's Allowance. It will make it possible for you to get some help with the numerous tasks and things you are faced with.
I'm still unsure myself how to arrange for a Carer's Assessment and what exactly they assess.
Hope things go well for you

Unfortunately Amble and Bowlingbun as Ann is 76 and probably claiming her State Pension she is unable to apply for Carers Allowance (state pension and CA are classified as overlapping benefits.)

However she should look into into claiming Attendance Allowance for him.

[bowlingbun]

Ooops Susie, missed that. Many apologies, after a series of bad nights, I'm apparently not thinking straight.

Attendance Allowance and Council Tax Exemption should still be possible, neither are means tested.

[Amble_180612345]

What about a Carers' Assessment? Would that help? I'm not quite sure what it entails.

[Rosemary _1901]

Hi just joined I care for my husband who has cognitive impairment is insulin dependent arthritis in lots of his joints I myself have COPD and suffer with fibromyalgia very tough going at times but try to stay positive what we can’t change work with and write another chapter in life’s book

[Honey Badger]

Welcome Ann,

I'm not sure whether you have maybe gone through all of this already, and please don't interpret any of this as an insinuation on my part that you are struggling/not coping, I admire your energy, this is just a little basic information which is regularly provided to help people hit the ground running should they need it.

Although you are of pension age but still working you could still check https://www.entitledto.co.uk/ to see if there is anything you are missing in term of eligible benefits or as bb said stuff like council tax exemption.

If you've not had a carer assessment within last 12 months (or ever) it wouldn't hurt, likewise its also worth a shot exploring continuing healthcare for your husbands health needs (particularly as support from the latter is unaffected by income and checking eligibility is NOT a one time only event)

I would always encourage trying to contact carers UK (use the main website for telephone/email), as well as citizens advice to begin with and go from there. From there you can go into more specialised areas (Alzheimer's society, Age UK etc)

Best wishes to you and your husband

My name is Ann Sword and I'm 76. My husband had part of his lung removed a couple of years ago and has emphysema so is struggling to get around and he has another spot but not sure if cancer returned. He now has a permanent catheter due to prostrate problems. He has early dementia to add to his problems. It hit home just before Christmas the reality of our life now. I work from home which gives me communication with people and things to think of other than caring

[Honey Badger]

Welcome Rosemary,

I would encourage you to take some of the same steps suggested to Ann regarding the benefit checker, carers assessment and such if you've not done so already (the checker is actually proving quite useful around here these days)

This one is up to you as well but I'm sure if you ask a moderator could split your post here into its own thread if you like so that you have a better chance of receiving specialised information/support relative to yourself/husbands needs should you need it.

New posters are always given a warm/friendly welcome here but I almost missed your first post

Best wishes to you both

Hi just joined I care for my husband who has cognitive impairment is insulin dependent arthritis in lots of his joints I myself have COPD and suffer with fibromyalgia very tough going at times but try to stay positive what we can’t change work with and write another chapter in life’s book