Advice for my grandparents

desperate+determined

Morning,

Can anyone help advise me on what my grandparents can get help with? 

My GP's own their own home, have some savings. They have recently purchased a stair lift, walking aids, mobility scooter using their savings. 

My grandmother has to get up daily at 5.30 am to take my grandfather to hospital for daily dialysis. Both can drive but my grandfather has been advised not to drive following tests. (I know its taking their independence away but I feel neither should be driving) They are mid 80's. The hospital is a 16 mile drive, not on a direct bus route so would require at least one bus change. Taxi is extremely expensive if done daily and hospital transport is unpredictable and time consuming due to current circumstances. 

My grandmother takes my grandfather to all his hospital appointments, doctor appointments. She does everything in the house although this takes a lot longer than it used to. She isn't really getting anytime to herself.  I now live over 1.5hrs away so not available to help as much as I use to. 

Where should I start with this, I want to make things easier for them. 

Thanks for reading. 

poppy12345

Look into a needs assessment, you can start the process here. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/getting-a-needs-assessment/

Does your grandfather claim any disability benefits like Attendance Allowance or DLA? If not then look at AA as he's over State pension age. It's not means tested so savings/capital and other income doesn't affect it.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/attendance-allowance/

TELLIT01

If your grandmother is finding the daily drive too much it may be worth speaking to the hospital about them providing transport, even for a couple of days each week.

desperate+determined

poppy12345 said:

Look into a needs assessment, you can start the process here. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/getting-a-needs-assessment/

Does your grandfather claim any disability benefits like Attendance Allowance or DLA? If not then look at AA as he's over State pension age. It's not means tested so savings/capital and other income doesn't affect it.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/attendance-allowance/

Thank you I will take a look at these.

desperate+determined

TELLIT01 said:

If your grandmother is finding the daily drive too much it may be worth speaking to the hospital about them providing transport, even for a couple of days each week.

Thank you, transport has been offered but due to corona the transport rarely arrives on time which is why my grandmother is doing the transport

Jude57

If your grandfather was ever in the armed services, including territorial, he could ask for support from the Royal British Legion or SSAFA Forces Help. They can help with all kinds of practical things, possibly including lifts to various appointments, or they may know of local volunteers who could help. You could also try AgeUK, again they may have local volunteers. There may be other voluntary groups local to your grandparents who offer transport. If their GP doesn't have details the local Council might know.

desperate+determined

Jude57 said:

If your grandfather was ever in the armed services, including territorial, he could ask for support from the Royal British Legion or SSAFA Forces Help. They can help with all kinds of practical things, possibly including lifts to various appointments, or they may know of local volunteers who could help. You could also try AgeUK, again they may have local volunteers. There may be other voluntary groups local to your grandparents who offer transport. If their GP doesn't have details the local Council might know.

Thank you very much I will look into this, yes he was in armed forces. 

kazwookie

Are there any other relatives who live nearer who could help once or twice a week?

Is there the chance to move the treatment to a centre nearer where they live?

Get a cleaner in once a week for a couple of hours to help out

Get shopping online for them.

Get a gardener in once every two weeks to do the lawns and weeding.

Can your own parents help out their parents?

desperate+determined

kazwookie said:

Are there any other relatives who live nearer who could help once or twice a week? no most live abroad 

Is there the chance to move the treatment to a centre nearer where they live? this is closer centre with Dialysis unit.

Get a cleaner in once a week for a couple of hours to help out - I am currently trying to persuade my nan 

to have a cleaner, but as she was previously cleaner she reluctant. 

Get shopping online for them. - this I can do - good thinking

Get a gardener in once every two weeks to do the lawns and weeding. - my parents are doing this currently

Can your own parents help out their parents? they do a bit but unfortunately work full time. 

answers to your questions in italics 

sheramber

While a taxi may be expensive could the family club together to pay for it?

comeandgo

Check with CAB or ask on local Facebook page if there are any charities who do voluntary runs to the hospital.  This is something I’m involved in in our rural area though they had to be halted for a long time due to covid.