Any advice on dental care.

[Angie06]

Hi everyone, I'm Angie and new to this site as I care full time for my 90yr old mother who lives with me after her stroke 6yrs ago.

She is partially paralysed, left side, and housebound. I can manage most of her daily care like washing, shopping cooking etc and extra things like dressings, she has foot problems and is incontinent so plenty to do! She hasn't seen a dentist for 6yrs and says her teeth are crumbling so now I'm wondering if there are dentists that visit you at home or how I can get help to take her to a local one, any ideas?

The main trouble is trying to get her out of the front door with a zimmer frame and large door step as I'm in my late sixties with AF and not very strong.

[Hidden]

You need to get a proper assessment of her needs. Ask your doctor to refer you. There are dentists to come to people's houses but not sure how many. She is entitled to foot care too and you should have some help. You can also get your house checked to see if there is anything they can give you to help - grab rails etc.

[FredaE]

There are dentists who will do home visits.If your GP does not kow the answer simply ring up one of yout local dentists and ask them about it. If your mother would prefer, see if she could be refered to your local dental hospital who could provide transport and help. I learned from a potter who was setting up and needed all sorts of odd equipment that the best thing was to ring up the most likely phone number and talk to them about it. He would often get the answer "I don't, but I know a man who does" He solved all his problems that way and advised us to do the same! It works. I found most people are very pleased to help with advice especialy if it does not involve them having to do anything.

If you are looking after someone like your mother,you have to learn to a be a bit hard hearted about other people's needs. "I expect someone else needs it more so i wont ask " has to be repplaced by "never take no for an answer" I am afraid.

Are you in touch with your local Age UK? They know he answers to a lot of the problems your mother will have

Good luck to you both

[Angie06 in reply to FredaE]

Thanks I've not been in touch with age UK but will now as things are becoming mire difficult. 😎

[sassy59]

Firstly I’d like to say welcome Angie and what a terrific job you’re doing.

I agree with exhaustedwife, you do need your mother to be assessed and you should have help. Do contact your GP about that.

Hope things improve and your mother gets to be seen by a dentist. Xxxxx

[Hidden]

Hi Angie06, Just wanted to welcome you to this community of carers, as I see that others have come before me and given you what's probably the best advice, which is to get an assessment of your mum's overall needs done.

Then, if her teeth need some urgent attention, provision can be made for her to be assisted to see a dentist, so that you don't have the struggle of trying to do it yourself.

Very best wishes, and please come back and let us know how you get on.

[Angie06]

Thanks for your replies, looks like my first port of call will be the doctor's surgery for referral. I did get an assessment 6yrs ago when she moved in but they said we didn't qualify for any assistance as we had savings, obviously things have progressed since then and my own health is beginning to suffer so may have to contact them again. 😀

[FredaE]

Finance is often means tested but there is other help which is not. Are you getting carers Allowance which is not means tested- two rates, one for day time caring and one for night as well. There used to be a one- off carers grant as well - I spent mine on a course of Nordic Walking which helped to keep me fit enough to do the hard work of caring Investigate Council tax..if you have to give up a whole room to equipment used solely by your mother you may be able to get down banded. ask at your local council. You can get handrails and such fitted free regardless of income and advice from Occupational Therapy . We all say ask your GP but it sounds asif your may be one of the practices which is not so well informed about how other help agencies work so always check what they tell you if you are not sure about it. If you have the right illness, anything needed to be installed again only for them may be free of VAT but that has to be arranged before work starts. No-one ever tells you these things . You pick them up as you go along.

It is four years since Victor died and I am getting a bit out of date but there is often something new to replace anything which has changed.Whatever it is you have earned it so don't hesitate to fight for it if you're entitled to it.

FredaE

[Angie06]

Thanks Freda unfortunately I can't get carers allowance as I'm retired and on a state pension. My mother gets her attendance allowance though so this goes towards getting a paid carer in if I want to go on holiday or take a break.

I didn't know about the one off grant but will look into it, also getting advice about age concern. Thanks for your help. 😀

[Philip]

Hi, the only thing I can recommend is take the bloody lot out, lol.

There are lots of lovely people on here and I’m sure you will get best advice on here. Happy hunting.

Philip.