Family helpers

[Musicmad70]

I am part of a fantastic family. I have 3 sisters. No brothers just strong women. We have an older aunt in her 50swho has special needs and lives with our grandparents who are in their 80s and unable to give her the best care. They also have extra needs. Gran has stroke dementia and granda has prostate cancer.

I'm hoping to get the sisters on board with us all providing full time care for all 3 and allow our mother to enjoy her 60s as she has been there forever.

It takes a village

Thank you for reading and any advice is most welcome.

[sl20]

Hi what a lovely caring family you have to want to look after your niece and grandparents. Regarding support for your aunt with special needs I would suggest getting in touch with social services so that they can assess her eligible needs. Depending on the results she may be entitled to a personal budget which could pay for a personal assistant to take her out, a day centre, supported work etc. She might also get a bit of a social life by joining clubs which specialise in learning disabilities ( Google what is available in your area) Do you have a local Carers group? This would be good to make contact as they have loads of knowledge. Finally I wish you well on your carers journey just remember there is support out there and you don’t have to manage all by yourself.

[Musicmad70 in reply to sl20]

Hi. Thank you for this information. My aunt attends a day care centee 5 days a week, a respite centre 30days a year and every songle benefit out there for a disabled perskn and has done since she was little. I was asking my family t o plut a care plan in place as my grandparents haven't bothered to set up a future plan at all. I understand some people do not have the capacity to care and realising no matter how hard I try I can't ask anyone to do what they are uncapable of doing. My sister and I will find a way through these challenges as no one deserves to be in the position my aunt is. Myself and sister were her PAs until very recently. We have xsocial work contacts we are working with at the moment as my aunt doesn't have her own social worker anymore. It's always the on duty we have to deal with.

[sl20 in reply to Musicmad70]

Hi that’s great that so much is in place for your aunt already. I know what you mean about the social workers we always have to deal with different people too. Have you thought about getting deputyship for your aunt? Also where will she live in the future? There is supported living as an option to consider. Alternatively is she able to stay in her existing home with support or will she go to live with a family member? At least with you and your mum and sister to look out for her she should never be in a crisis situation which sadly so many others are. Good luck.