I am a brand new carer - my husband is just home from having a stroke. His mobility is severely impaired, he is left side unaware, and although he is continent when the need strikes I better have a commode handy quickly since he is totally unaware of which function is in operation. (Discovered that the hard way yesterday - thank God for washing machines .....)
A physio popped round just after we got home and tells me we will be getting three visits a week for six weeks. An occupational therapist is coming today, and my GP's Carer Support Worker team are lined up to call me today.
Thankfully I already had access to my husband's bank account and have always run the household finances. We are not entitled to financial help because he has a good occupational pension plus state pension. My boss has been absolutely marvellous - I work part time from home and he has said I can do my hours at any time that works for me but not to worry about work until I feel ready.
I have never been a carer - I am thankful my husband's speech is still intact, although he has visual problems in that he sees things that aren't there - there are houses opposite ours but yesterday I was told there were police and horses in the field opposite. Apprently we also have flies crawling on the floor that keep turning into tiny machines. I'm hoping this goes away with his gradual recovery.
I saw a book recommended on this site - The Selfish Pig's Guide to Caring - and have a copy coming.
I am tired already - the physio wanted me to sleep downstairs in the same room as my husband. I have no campbed. I tried the floor but at 65 it wasn't great. I spent the night in an armchair but kept leaping up and down because my husband has a tendency to roll towards the open side of the bed. In the middle of the night I bought an excellent guard rail which will drop down to let Bob get himself into and out of the bed. He can do this provided I stand with him and steady him when he wobbles. Thank heavens for Amazon and urgent deliveries!
I guess I'm looking for practical caring advice - is there a handbook? More of a how-to do stuff than who to contact about what?
A physio popped round just after we got home and tells me we will be getting three visits a week for six weeks. An occupational therapist is coming today, and my GP's Carer Support Worker team are lined up to call me today.
Thankfully I already had access to my husband's bank account and have always run the household finances. We are not entitled to financial help because he has a good occupational pension plus state pension. My boss has been absolutely marvellous - I work part time from home and he has said I can do my hours at any time that works for me but not to worry about work until I feel ready.
I have never been a carer - I am thankful my husband's speech is still intact, although he has visual problems in that he sees things that aren't there - there are houses opposite ours but yesterday I was told there were police and horses in the field opposite. Apprently we also have flies crawling on the floor that keep turning into tiny machines. I'm hoping this goes away with his gradual recovery.
I saw a book recommended on this site - The Selfish Pig's Guide to Caring - and have a copy coming.
I am tired already - the physio wanted me to sleep downstairs in the same room as my husband. I have no campbed. I tried the floor but at 65 it wasn't great. I spent the night in an armchair but kept leaping up and down because my husband has a tendency to roll towards the open side of the bed. In the middle of the night I bought an excellent guard rail which will drop down to let Bob get himself into and out of the bed. He can do this provided I stand with him and steady him when he wobbles. Thank heavens for Amazon and urgent deliveries!
I guess I'm looking for practical caring advice - is there a handbook? More of a how-to do stuff than who to contact about what?