Advice on introducing care at home

[0011lisa]

Does anyone have any advice/tips on how to introduce carers to help in the home? My family care for my nan (who has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's) and grandad (currently in hospital after a fall) but my nan doesn't think she needs any help. If anyone has been through a similar situation and has had success on getting through to someone with dementia, I'd really appreciate hearing your advice please.

[sassy59]

I contacted a care company for my mother in law and they went round to assess her. She was quite happy when the carer came round and got on well with them.

Just get someone round to assess the situation and see how things go. Good luck with it. Xxxx

[MAS_Nurse]

Hello 0011lisa and welcome to our community which has very caring and supportive members who are all experiencing similar problems and situations that your family are experiencing. It is very nice and heartwarming that you are so concerned for your Nan and Grandad and your family in general. That shows what a kind and caring person you are, so well done for this. I am very sorry that your Nan has Alzheimers, it is a very difficult and sad illness, both for your Nan and all of you. It is possible that you will all perhaps experience different emotions, thoughts and feelings as your Nan may seem a different person to whom she has been It will be very important that you talk to your family and friends about how you are feeling, so that you will feel supported and listened to about your own feelings and thoughts. It is very natural that your Nan feels she can cope on her own ,without carers coming and going. Try and chat gently with your Nan and stress the importance that she needs care and looking after for her own safety and wellbeing. Ask your GP to visit your Nan so that he/she can explain that the help from cares is for her own benefit, and that she needs Professional help and support. Your GP can arrange for your Nan to have a social worker, who can organise further help and support. You may also be able to get support and help from Citizens Advice , These are the details......

citizensadvice.org.uk Telephone...England.....03444 111 444......Wales.....03444 77 2020.....They have a fully operational helpline. They can help too with any social services and benefits that both your Nan and Granda may be entitled to. You may also access help from the Alzheimers Society.....These are the details....

alzheimers.org.uk/info...National Helpline ...0300 222 1122

Age UK Telephone Advice.....0800 678 1174.....ageuk.org.uk/health-wellbeing

Care Aware Helpline......0161 707 1107........careaware.co.uk

Also visit the pinned posts section and www gov.uk for advice on Carers Allowance.

I hope this may be of help to you. Perhaps some of our caring and kind members can offer further suggestions and support here....thank you so much. I wish you and your family all the very best and take each day as it comes, and hope your Granda gets home from hospital soon. Make sure though that your Granda will have the care he will need when he comes out of hospital and a social worker may help in this process, so it is important your family talk to the hospital nurses and doctors well before his discharge. Take care and good luck and all best wishes to you and your family....and please let us know how you are getting on....mas nurse...

[cell0]

Hi Lisa, we were in a similar position with my mum in law who came to live with us and has dementia/Alzheimer's. We introduced her (now happily established) carers as family friends who come to visit and help with 'cleaning' Mum quickly became comfortable with them and they are trained to be sensitive and aware of how aware of who they are day to day. It is essential you pursue carers even though you may have to trial a few. You will know when you have identified good carers and your nan will adapt. |Good luck.

[AliBee1]

Hi

We had problems similar to yours with our Mum so we found a recommended carer and then she came to meet Mum whilst we were there for just a coffee/tea. We did this several times so that the carer became a 'friend' and then Mum did not see he so much as a carer although she knew that she was being paid to her to help and which meant that the time she spent helping Mum also included them having a cuppa and a natter, but it was worth it.

Good luck.

[0011lisa]

Thanks everyone for your replies and advice. We've approached some care agencies and it's looking like there is light at the end of the tunnel. I like the approach of a carer becoming a 'friend' and having someone pop round everyday and chat to her (while the family are at work) will make a big difference. There's obviously a way to go, but hearing other people's experiences on how to go about this is really helpful. Thanks again.