Debt and Caring

WelshmansDaughter

So the good news is that dad has tested negative this morning. Sadly I am still testing positive. 
Sore throat is easing, can't taste some food. My morning panadol is still my best friend 😀
Some serious spending today, slide sheet for moving dad and an adjustable back rest so he can sit up in the bed easier. Got a letter saying the wait-list for a wheelchair is 10 months + so we are going to buy one. Thankfully not my money I'm spending and luckily we can afford it. 

savingholmes

Glad you can afford to buy what your dad needs. I hope you recover quickly too. 

WelshmansDaughter

I went out to squish down the recycling bin this afternoon (by standing in it) and realised I haven't worn shoes for a week. 
I have tested negative this morning but I'm not in a hurry to go back out into the outside world. Taken to sitting out in the front garden (where I can hear dad) and watching the world go by. 
Dad is up and about more now. Still quite tired but he ate very little while sick so not surprised.

Finances have probably benefited overall from isolation. I spent €29 on a box of protein bars as they were all I felt like eating. I also bought dad's adjustable back rest to get it delivered next day as we weren't able to get a hospital bed. That came to €54.

Almost had enough wherewithal to eat a financial frog today but I have not napped this afternoon as I planned. Also remembered that I rebooked the dentist for later this month which I hadn't factored into my calculations. I don't know if it is just exhaustion but I really feel like my money problems are hanging over me now. I just want it gone.

savingholmes

You said your parents have money - can they contribute to some of your costs? You are giving them a lot of practical help and support.

WelshmansDaughter

@savingholmes it's a bit of a contentious issue. They have given me money on occasion in the last year. But realistically it is still only income from pensions they have. And Ireland is very expensive. 
There is also the fact that they wanted to put dad in a home and I didn't. So I said I would never speak to them again if they did. So awkward family relations all round really.

savingholmes

Maybe row back from the 'never speak to them again' comment...

It is very tough caring for someone with your dad's condition which you know better than me. There may come a time however when you can no longer keep him safe at home and you may need to review. 

Try to leave yourself open to options as it is a very hard thing you and your mum are doing and it may not be sustainable long term.

doingitanyway

A few years ago I was standing in the green recycling bin squishing it down and I fell off. Take care when doing it. Love the dog and poppies photo

Rightmoves

I've seen you are in Ireland and I agree it is expensive but the Irish Govt is very generous to pensioners. My mum is in Ireland and I am in the UK. I do all her admin. She gets a state pension, living alone allowance, fuel allowance (incl extra this year), a communications allowance for phone line rental, she pays a very small amount for her prescriptions, she has also recently has grants (not repayable) for a bathroom refit into a wet room, a stair lift and a ramp at the front of the house as well as grab rails. Make sure you are applying for everything. 

WelshmansDaughter

Thanks for your comments savings, dia and rightmoves.

Ha yes I was afraid that I would fall out of the bin, there is a wall to hold on to though. I do get some funny looks when I'm out there in my pyjamas. 

The Irish govt is more generous in some ways definitely. My parents do get support like medical cards. The community response is where they let people down, there is no real point of contact and you often have to go round the houses to get anything. Also, you have to know what you want to get it! There's a lack of organization and follow up care which is frightening when you think of people on their own. No system is perfect but there is no accountability here whatsoever. 

Family is what it is. I think for my own well being going forward I would keep contact with them to a minimum. Not out of any ill feeling but more so I can do what I would like to do without being guilt tripped or held to expectations. 

Next time on Jerry Springer.....🤣🤣🤣

WelshmansDaughter

I do have a tendency to post on here when I'm feeling a bit more negative. Probably because when I'm feeling positive I'm busy doing things. 
I do tend to put myself under a lot of pressure which does distort the situation somewhat.
Now to be even more controversial, I have started enjoying the heat. It feels a bit like being on holiday at the moment, although a bit more personal care involved than your average fortnight in the South of France...

All I'm doing at the moment is looking after dad and lying down with cups of tea. 
I did try to renew my house insurance but it told me the payment failed so we shall see.
Other than that I have absolutely no money coming in other than carer's allowance on Thursday so nada to report on debt busting front.