Adult care personal budget question

joeldn08

Hi everyone, my father has Alzheimers and dementia, and was on attendance allowance. Recently we sent him abroad to visit family, hoping a changing of scene would do him good. Unfortunately, he had a fall while overseas and had brain hemorraghe. After two months in hospital he is still entirely bed ridden, unable to speak, eat, sit up, stand or walk. Doctors have said he is unlikely to recover.

We are trying to get him back to the UK as soon as possible, but a key challenge is that as soon as he is back, he would need full time care in a care home or equivalent level of care at home. 

I was hoping to ask whether councils would consider his application and provide a personal budget BEFORE he returns to the UK? As things stand, the family will run into difficulty as soon as he is back. 

Would appreciate any thoughts or information. 

Brie

Wow!  What a dreadful situation to have to deal with.  You and your whole family have my complete sympathy!

I suspect you will have to somehow arrange to get him home and then into hospital before the local authority will take a bit of notice.  

I'm hoping there was suitable travel insurance in place.  Perhaps using that would get him home safely and into someplace appropriate.  If he's completely bedridden travelling will be tricky so you'll need massive support particularly if it involves any air travel at all.  But even a trip driving back will be difficult and need qualified care assistants in attendance.

joeldn08

Thank you so much Brie for your suggestion, and kind words. Is there a route for my father to be admitted directly to hospital when he arrives back? Previously the only way was through GP referral or A&E. I wonder if there is a way for him to be admitted straight away, as given his condition, it is hard for him to stay home for any length of time. 

As for insurance, unfortunately we don't have cover, so need to buy business class seats to take him back. This is something we are considering.

Thanks again. 

KxMx

What do the Hospital your father is in currently say? Are they happy to discharge him in his condition to a commercial flight? 

joeldn08

KxMx said:

What do the Hospital your father is in currently say? Are they happy to discharge him in his condition to a commercial flight? 

Yes they are happy to discharge him to get on a flight. He doesn't need any medical equipment for the lenth of the flight, but need to be escorted as he is entirely disabled. 

toomuchinfo

This is such a difficult situation to be in. If he is medically fit, but needs care, then hospital isn’t the right place for him. He will need a care assessment from his local council and then a financial assessment. Phone his council social care department and discuss his situation. Unfortunately , as he isn’t currently in the country  and there’s no insurance cover it’s very complicated. You might have to consider a private care company until the care package is agreed.

Jackie1813

Have the airline said that they are happy to carry him without any medical supervision? Some airlines can be a little funny and require a fit to fly.
Sorry you are in this position.

itsthelittlethings

I would doubt that the LA (I think that’s who does it) would do a care assessment of someone in another country. I think your first step is to contact them and explain where you’re at.

HillStreetBlues

My first thoughts are would a care home want to take a person that might need more medical attention than they are able to give?
It could be they would want him assessed by a UK doctor to state it is safe to be be in a care home.

pmlindyloo

Have a read of this:

Medical emergencies, treatment and hospitalisation abroad - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The British Embassy/Consulate should be able to help.

sheramber

Not a lot of help from them

Your insurance company should arrange your medical repatriation or evacuation. If your insurance does not cover this, you’ll have to arrange and pay for it yourself. You can check the list of medical repatriation companies to get the support you need.