mum with dementia and adult special needs sister benefit advice please

bishboshbluebell

I earn over £100 per week as does my partner. From doing a bit of research it seems that l am going to have to give up some hours at work (if they allow me) and care for mum and sis without any financial input from the state. Like a lot of people l have a mortgage, 2 kids heading off to uni next year and other financial commitments to factor in. With regards to carers, my sister communicates using Makaton and her limited speech can be difficult to understand. I don't want just anyone looking after her - although my sis can't tell you what happens, she kind of replays situations. When I last had a carer from an agency my sister kept on repeating 'you're a very bad girl' and slapping her hands and generally being upset. l never slap her or call her a bad girl (l call her a minxy moo!) - so l could only draw 1 conclusion.... My mum is so vulnerable that l would hate for anyone to be unkind to her (or my sis) plus she probably wouldn't hear or answer the door! l keep going round in circles thinking how we are going to be able to afford to pay our own bills, etc if l have to stop working.

xylophone

I don't want just anyone looking after her -

Have you tried advertising for a carer through the church newsletter?

pmlindyloo

Really two deparate issues here.

First, your sister. From what I understand you are being funded by the Independent Living Fund to care for your sister. Is her social worker connected with this or independent of IDL? Depending on your answer you need to speak to your sister's social worker and tell her about your problems and/or ask for a reassessment from the ILF.

Secondly, your mother. First check that she is receiving all the benefits that she is entitled to-Pension Credit/AA/CTB/HB. Having alodger may make a difference to her entitlements so you might need some help/support for this. The link given before to the Carer's Association website sounds perfect for this.

Next, your Mum needs an assessment from Adults Social Services. They may well put into place a team of carers to go in every day to help out. They may have some other options. If they use a team of carers then these might be better than your experiences with the agency carers.

Your situation is complicated by the fact that there are two different issues here, yet they merge into one as they each have an impact on the other.

Dealing with Social Services can be very difficult (been there, got the t shirt!) Insist that you have one person to liaise with - otherwise you will get passed to a different team member each time you telephone them.

if you are feeling that you are getting nowhere then contact your local councillor/MP for some support.

bishboshbluebell

Thanks for all your advice. It is complicated - l only get fed up when l have to repeat the same info to people in soc services - surely in these days of computer technology everything is linked up! l know l have to approach soc services re mum, but l'm dreading the interegations - especially in light of what's happened recently with the U-kip family! Church is a great idea, def post an ad there. regards