Can we get financial Help?

sheilavw

A bit of background. My mum at nearly 84 and my brother 44 who has downs syndrome live together. My sister and I help loads, we both work 37 hours but go around every day, help with meals, laundry ironing cleaning. I take them for weekly shopping and pick up prescriptions etc. During summer it became apparent that my mum wasnt just forgetful and we consulted GP, she had usual tests and referred to hospital and was diagnosed with dementia 20th December and put on Aricept. Shes wandering out at all hours and we rely on our brother with Downs to ring, and I jump in the car( I live about a mile and half away) and find her. Last weekend my brother was admitted to hospital and is very poorly with pneumonia. Hopefully he's turned a corner (had temporary trachiotamy yesterday) and is being woken as soon as they have pulled some loose teeth out. He has seemed down lately, my Mum even though she cant help it goes on at him and he isnt getting the care he needs. Me and my Sister have been talking and she would be willing to give up work if she could get some financial help. The hospital advised us to apply for attendance allowance for mum (when diagnosed with dementia) which I have done, I received a call and it looks like claim accepted. Is there any other help we could get, they really need more care and we cant be there all the time. Sorry for long post.

Indie_Kid

Does the brother receive DLA? Does your mum (if entitled) receive pension credit? Have either of them approached social services for a care assessment?

Oldernotwiser

Does your brother receive IB/IS?

iwanttosavemoney2008

once you have gotten the attendance allowance, your sister if she has given up work will be able to claim carers allowance too

newmee

Before your sister gives up her job you really should contact your local Adult & Community Services (Social Services) They should allocate 2 social workers to carry out individual assessments on both your brother and your mum. This will highlight the level of need for both of them and what that level of need entitles them both to in terms of accessing benefits and support / care services. There are many options available. I don't know what Authority you come under so cannot be specific about eligibility criteria (which varies for each Authority) but get in touch as soon as possible, be insistent and follow it through. I'm not suggesting your authority is poor at responding but sometimes (in my professional experience) those who shout loudest / most persistent get seen to first.
I hope that helps and wish all of you the very best.

ERICS_MUM

I can't add any practical advice but I just want to say how I admire you and your sister for devoting so much time and care to your mum and brother. Your situation is a really good example (in my personal opinion) of how social welfare should be used to support people. I do hope your local authority share my view;)

I wish you all the luck in the world.


Linda xx

kingfisherblue

Your sister might be able to claim Carer's Allowance for your brother - it would be quicker than waiting until your mum gets Attendance Allowance. She can't get two lots of CA for caring for two people though.

A Social Services assessment could result in a Direct Payments package, where you can pay somebody to look after and/or take out your brother or your mum (depending on whose assessment it is - they should have individual assessments). Your sister would also be entitled to a carer's assessment from SS.

There might be a reduction in council tax for your mum and brother - see this thread by another poster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2982676

The Down's Syndrome Association might be able to offer further help and advice

http://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/

You could also contact your local Carer's Centre, if you have one. They are really helpful and offer all kinds of support, including benefits checks.

Take care x

sheilavw

Thank you all for your replies. When Mum was diagnosed with dementia they asked us to apply for attendance allowance. I was truthful on the form and explained that she has been wandering in the night, just received notification today that she has got the higher rate. David gets DLA lower rate. They have appointed him a social worker to arrange things like outings for him. Its not really been fair on him. Although we have gone evenings and weekends he has in a way been her carer. Social Services rang today and are ringing back. We are hoping now they have started to wake him tonight that he will continue to improve. We love him so much, he lives life to the full. He has so many songs still to sing on the karaoke and so many darts still to throw! We have never begrudged the time, they are our family, and Mum cant help having the dementia, its been hard for her, my Dad died when I was 15 and she had five children. My brothers are starting to do more too, but they work as well. Thank you all for your replies, one things for sure, we will have to have more help now.

kingfisherblue

As your brother only gets low rate care, your sister cannot claim CA for him. It's good news that you have received a positive decision about AA for your mum, though, as this means that your sister can claim CA for looking after her (assuming she meets the remaining criteria). Your brother sounds very capable for a man with DS and it gives me great hope for the future of my son, who also has DS. I hope that he turns out to live life as much to the full as your brother does.

I wish you and your family all the best - it is a difficult time for you, but you remain positive and that is to your credit.

sunnyone

sheilavw wrote: »

Thank you all for your replies. When Mum was diagnosed with dementia they asked us to apply for attendance allowance. I was truthful on the form and explained that she has been wandering in the night, just received notification today that she has got the higher rate. David gets DLA lower rate. They have appointed him a social worker to arrange things like outings for him. Its not really been fair on him. Although we have gone evenings and weekends he has in a way been her carer. Social Services rang today and are ringing back. We are hoping now they have started to wake him tonight that he will continue to improve. We love him so much, he lives life to the full. He has so many songs still to sing on the karaoke and so many darts still to throw! We have never begrudged the time, they are our family, and Mum cant help having the dementia, its been hard for her, my Dad died when I was 15 and she had five children. My brothers are starting to do more too, but they work as well. Thank you all for your replies, one things for sure, we will have to have more help now.

what a nice, refreshing post this is, I hope David is well soon and that your mum can be settled at home with the incresed care from your sister and the rest of her children to help out.

sheilavw

Thank you all. If I could swap places with David I would. Just back from hospital because Mum and Brother need lift on at 6. (our hospital closed so we have an approx 10 mile each way). He is waking up but they think he is brewing another infection, they say after being on ventilator often get a chest infection so started him on some more anti biotics. I am going to GP Monday for a sick note as is my sister so we can be at the hospital, he needs us more than work at the moment. Like I say Mum has got the attendance allowance now, so will look at all other options. Just want to spoil him now and give him all the care he needs and Mum too. Thank you again