Mum in hospital - advice needed

downshifter98

Thanks cattermole and ERICS MUM.

She has passed the initial checklist and they are now doing the full assessment; some of it was done this morning when we weren't around unfortunately and they've also asked my dad questions over the phone - he assured me that he didn't 'play anything down' but if true that would be a first ho hum (you can see why I'm sceptical) however anyone seeing Mum would struggle to describe her limitations as anything other than complete, so we will see.

Dad is desperate to keep Mum local (obviously) as he doesn't drive and would insist on visiting everyday but not sure what he will do if those nearest are not to Mum's liking (to be fair, at this moment in time, nothing will be). I sense some very hard choices coming up.

cattermole - I will be sure to pick your brains re the CHC outcome.

downshifter98

cattermole

You have to weigh up all the factors and being near to your Dad is very important.

Will your Mum give her consent for you to talk things through with the Nurse dong the overall Assessment? They should go through the process with the person or relatives involved agreeing the score as you go when it gets to the stage of filling in the decision making tool. If you can get it awarded initially for 3 months at least it will give you all a breathing space.

It's degree of need, complexity, and how all the needs interact and how changeable the condition is that are the primary things to focus on. From what you say she will score low in some areas because she seems to have quite a lot of awareness and communication but does this fluctuate for example?

Anyway really good luck with it all and hopefully you will at least get the nursing element paid.

Feel free to ask any questions at any time, if I don't know I'll try and find out x

ERICS_MUM

downshifter98 wrote: »

Thanks cattermole and ERICS MUM.

.......and they've also asked my dad questions over the phone - he assured me that he didn't 'play anything down' but if true that would be a first ho hum (you can see why I'm sceptical)

downshifter98

My Mum was exactly the same when she filled out the application form for Attendance Allowance, which was rejected. Luckily a relative had a friend who worked for social services and she came in to help Mum fill in a 2nd form.

Once she got going it was amazing how adding a bit more detail (all true) to illustrate each issue gave the whole application much more impact, a truer reflection of the difficulties and level of help required. I think older people are likely to play down their needs out of pride and wanting to appear independent.

downshifter98

cattermole wrote: »

You have to weigh up all the factors and being near to your Dad is very important.

Will your Mum give her consent for you to talk things through with the Nurse dong the overall Assessment? They should go through the process with the person or relatives involved agreeing the score as you go when it gets to the stage of filling in the decision making tool. If you can get it awarded initially for 3 months at least it will give you all a breathing space.

It's degree of need, complexity, and how all the needs interact and how changeable the condition is that are the primary things to focus on. From what you say she will score low in some areas because she seems to have quite a lot of awareness and communication but does this fluctuate for example?

Anyway really good luck with it all and hopefully you will at least get the nursing element paid.

Feel free to ask any questions at any time, if I don't know I'll try and find out x

She is alert and fairly sharp but her voice is very weak and she is mainly not understandable - even Dad struggles to understand what she is trying to say and we usually get there with a number of 'yes no' questions. Amazingly frustrating for all of us, especially Mum.

pmlindyloo

This http://www.sheffield.nhs.uk/chcfnc/resources/decisionsupporttool0811.pdf

will give you an idea of the kind of process that is being undertaken.

cattermole

pmlindyloo wrote: »

This http://www.sheffield.nhs.uk/chcfnc/resources/decisionsupporttool0811.pdf

will give you an idea of the kind of process that is being undertaken.

Just so OP knows
The guidance has been updated and is now 2012 as in my link above which contains the updated 2012 decision tool document amongst others.

Eric's Mum we had exactly the same thing with my M-in-law in the end Age UK were very helpful and filled all the forms in with her and the worker was ex DWP. Getting AA has really changed her life and given her a little bit of independence back despite her multitude of severe physical problems. Not having to worry how she can clean the house, get the garden done or do her shopping. With a little bit left over to get a taxi if she really needs too.

downshifter98

It took longer than expected but Mum and Dad have now been told that Mum has qualified for NHS continuing care. Mum is still in hospital and her overall condition is the same as when she went in 6 weeks ago. We are going to visit a care home tomorrow which is pretty close to where Mum and Dad live and we know there are spaces. The hospital have said that if we have a preferred local choice then they will get on with talking to them (the home). At the moment this is still being treated as a temporary move but Mum really does need full-on professional care now and Dad agrees but feels bad about telling Mum - I'm hoping that it will be taken out of their hands and think that it will.
I understand that NHS care means all of Mums care is paid for but will Dad or I still be expected to pay any extras/top ups? When we visit care homes should we mention the NHS care funding? Must admit I'm not sure what much of this means.

cattermole

I was thinking about you only last night.

I'm glad your mum has got CHC but that doesn't make the situation you are all in as a family any easier so my thoughts are with you.

It really shouldn't be a problem with the home re CHC funding, they are happy just to get paid, so probably best to explain they will be CHC from the start so they know the situation but it shouldn't be a problem. Sometimes there can be a very small difference in the fees from what they are prepared to pay on CHC (I question the legalities of this!) but it probably isn't really worth the hassle of disputing it or worrying about for the very small amount that might be involved.

The home should be aware of the rates the local NHS pay for CHC.

I really hope it all goes well on the visit tomorrow. xx

downshifter98

Thanks cattermole.

As you say, the situation is no easier and I view Mum getting CHC as just proof of how bad things are. However I would be lying if I didn't admit that the financial side of it all wasn't also stressing us out so this news should help a bit and means, at least, that we can now get on with finding a local nursing home that can care for Mum effectively.

cattermole

Big hug let us know how you get on with the home xx