Multiple questions re getting support for parents

vivatifosi

My dad has recently become ill very suddenly. My parents are retired, but until recently, my dad was my mum's carer.

Both if my parents receive pensions credit as they do not have any occupational pensions. My mum also receives Attendance Allowance, I think at the lower rate. My dad receives a carers allowance.

My dad, in the space of a matter of weeks has gone from being up and about, to effectively bed bound. For the past few weeks dad has had care visitors provided morning and evening. That has stopped for a bit while he is in hospital.

I think I need to claim Attendance Allowance for him, which is difficult as I don't yet have a diagnosis for him. Any ideas how to go about this?

Also, the local council want to come and talk to him about paying for his care. This feels very premature, considering we don't know if he should receive additional funding, or for that matter, what is wrong. Are there any advocacy services that can help us understand this and support us through it?

My parents own their home, but it may require some adaptations. He is having a hospital bed delivered, but we haven't yet had an OT, assessment, as I said, this has all happened v quickly. Is this something that will happen automatically, or do I need to push for this?

Any other helpful hints and tips gratefully received. Thanks.

pmlindyloo

There must have been some sort of assessment done for your dad to be getting carers and a hospital bed delivered so you need to find out if a social worker has been allocated to him.

You need to find out what is going on so a) speak to the hospital b) speak to social services (the hospital should know if he has a social worker or ring their local authority or speak to mum) c) speak to his doctor.

Once you know what is going on then you can liaise with the appropriate person (services) and yes, you do have to 'push them'.

Before your dad is discharged from hospital then a care plan should be put in place - this is vital.

It seems as if your dad may not be able to claim Carer's allowance for your mum any more. For benefits advice (eg Attendance Allowance) AgeUK is a good source of help and support. Ditto with paying for care.

You will also need to inform Pension Credit if your dad stops claiming CA and starts claiming AA as this will, be affected.

But........... first of all you need to find out what health issues he has and what care he is going to need.

vivatifosi

Many thanks pmlindyloo. It has all been a bit haphazard so far. The doc put in place the care package but as his deterioration was so rapid the support wasn't keeping pace with what was asked for. He had some district nurses come out and it was one of those that arranged the bed. We haven't had an OT or social worker visit yet, to the best of my knowledge.

Knowing what the problem is will be a massive help. So far its a big mystery.

I'll speak to hospital tomorrow when the full team is back in after the weekend then talk to Age Concern once we've done that.

Thanks so much.

Mojisola

vivatifosi wrote: »

I think I need to claim Attendance Allowance for him, which is difficult as I don't yet have a diagnosis for him.

You don't need a diagnosis - it's how the illness affects him that's important.

vivatifosi

Thanks Mojisola, that's one of the points I've really struggled with.

Stop_Watch

Is he still providing 35 hours of care to your mum?

elsien

I think your parents are unlikely to qualify for Care Act advocacy as they have you to support them to be involved. If they've not had a Care Act assessment or things have changed then now would be the time to request one. They can self refer and the information will be on their local Aug website
However some areas do offer general advocacy for older people - in my area it's Age Concern, so that might be a useful starting point for you.

vivatifosi

Stop_Watch wrote: »

Is he still providing 35 hours of care to your mum?

No he did until about 5-6 weeks ago when he fell ill.

w06

Sorry for your troubles, sounds a difficult time for all of you.

It's worth keeping an eye on how long it's been since your dad was definitely providing the 35 hours care for carers allowance, a quick google suggests he's ok still being paid it for 12 weeks (but don't take my word for it, as there's likely more minute than that) https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/further-information

vivatifosi

Thanks w06. One of the problems at the moment is that he's in hospital. So if I try to call any relevant bodies, then they won't speak to me. Eg this week his car insurance auto renewed even though he may never be well enough to drive again, and there was nothing I could do to stop it due to data protection.