Is funding available for 24hr care at home?

iris

I know of two people who used to work for a company called Country Cousins. They offer full time care


https://www.country-cousins.co.uk/?gclid=CNit_-GloswCFbYV0wodWzYE3A&gclsrc=aw.ds

pmlindyloo

Another company which has a very good reputation.

http://www.helpinghandshomecare.co.uk/condition-led-care/dementia-care/

Spendless

It can take a while to settle into a care home. My Grandmother would complain as soon as she got one of us on our own, that she was imprisoned with no control over what she ate and when, or when she bathed or went to bed and got up.

However, the change in her a year on, is a positive one where she practically 'skipped' back into the place after coming out for lunch around Christmas-time. My own kids (teenagers, not well known for their empathy) remarked how settled she was compared to how she was before. If you got her on her own though she'd still complain, despite us being able to see how well she's doing.

Care homes need choosing carefully though. My Mum said she visited some that she wouldn't send her dog to live in!

zaksmum

Thanks all for the input which is much appreciated.

My aunt's dementia is relatively mild, in that she recognises family members and washes and dresses herself and is continent, and can hold a conversation of sorts. She is unable to cook for herself or shop or to find her way home if she goes outdoors. I've seen very much worse, sadly.

Most of the people in the care home are more afflicted than her so really she can only talk to the staff. Some other residents try to kiss her on the mouth or pull her hair. The home had a less than perfect rating online when last inspected and when we visited we were far from impressed.

Anyway the five children say she is definitely coming home as they feel (as I do) that she will be much better in her own home of over 50 years. It's just the question of funding really although they are happy to pay for it between them all if need be.

jobbingmusician

Who is paying for her current placement?

My understanding of funding, which is far from perfect, is that funding for medical needs is free, whereas funding for social needs is not. (Hence the delightful debate about the difference between a 'medical' and 'social' bath.)

Go into this venture knowing that the local council will shrug off any responsibilities they can - I suggest a visit to the CAB may be in order, to help you and your family argue for their rights.

elsien

Sounds like she's in the wrong home, at the very least.
My question would be, what was the process by which she moved to the home, who was involved and does any one in the family have a health and welfare power of attorney for her? When you say the decision has been made, who has made the decision?
Does she have the capacity to understand the pros and cons and make the decision for herself? Because if not, if the professionals are involved there should be a best interests decision made on her behalf including the views of family and anyone else who is involved with her such as the current carers.

As far as the practicalities go, have you considered how many carers you need? If you are having live in carers doing a week on/off (or however you work it), have you thought about the breaks each day they are entitled to? Cover when someone walks out at short notice which can be expensive if you have to use an agency? The carer sleeping through and not hearing your aunt go out?
I'm not saying it's unworkable, I know someone who did it. But there was a lot of organisation needed to keep it running smoothly. (Although to be fair that was because a) the person was difficult to live with and b) he kept sacking the carers)

ETA - as far as funding goes, that would depend on her assessed needs and the result of any financial assessments. Has she had an assessment under the Care Act from the local authority? From the limited information you've given she won't qualify for CHC (healthcare) funding as that's around nursing needs/managing challenging behaviour and a dementia diagnosis in and of itself won't qualify her. However for people at home, generally speaking in these credit crunched times, local authorities will only pay for 4 visits a day. They won't pay for someone to be there 24 hours a day. But if she has assessed needs she can ask for a direct payment and put that towards the care costs.
Another possible option is to look at assistive technology e.g an alert if the front door opens at night. I'm not up to speed on these, so I'm not sure about whether you then need someone who can attend to check on her, that would be something you'd have to get more information on.

POPPYOSCAR

Spendless wrote: »

It can take a while to settle into a care home. My Grandmother would complain as soon as she got one of us on our own, that she was imprisoned with no control over what she ate and when, or when she bathed or went to bed and got up.

However, the change in her a year on, is a positive one where she practically 'skipped' back into the place after coming out for lunch around Christmas-time. My own kids (teenagers, not well known for their empathy) remarked how settled she was compared to how she was before. If you got her on her own though she'd still complain, despite us being able to see how well she's doing.

Care homes need choosing carefully though. My Mum said she visited some that she wouldn't send her dog to live in!

My experience of them has made me determined not to go into one.

Spendless

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

My experience of them has made me determined not to go into one.

Nan didn't get a choice. She went from home to hospital to assessment centre where it was decided by health professionals she wasn't safe to continue to live alone. She was 90 at the time, no family members able to give her the care she needed. My parents are pension age themselves. I have teenagers and no space.

If she'd had Mrs T's millions who was able to remain at her home when she developed dementia then it's an option. Most can't afford it.

Mojisola

elsien wrote: »

Sounds like she's in the wrong home, at the very least.

This was my reaction.

When Dad needed a care home, we visited a range of them and found the one that we felt would suit him. He would have been very unhappy in some that we looked at - not because they were awful (although one was!) but because they just weren't 'him'.

elsien

If I ever go into a care home I'm going to specify no bingo, definitely no royal occasions, and one that serves a tipple with dinner.
I may have to start doing the lottery again.