Dementia and Downs

[Greatauntie]

Planning to move relative with Downs and dementia from supported living to residential care. What do I do/Who do I contact first?

[Runragged2000]

Social Work. Do you have Deputyship for welfare decisions on behalf of your relative?

[Greatauntie in reply to Runragged2000]

Yes, COP sealed doc - Deputy for finance. Have looked at health and welfare and discussed at Social Services review in June who said it went hand in hand. Guidance form for application a little unclear as to whether we need additional authority. Incident at her home indicated she may need to move in the not too distant future. I do not want this rushed into.

[Runragged2000 in reply to Greatauntie]

It looks like you already have social services involved, that would be your first point of contact when assessing need for CH and funding. Do you know of any organisations for Downs or LD in your area that offer care home facilities for dementia care? That would be my first thing to look for. If not, it's really a case of asking social services what is available and recommended in these unique circumstances. I have just gone through this in Scotland, visited 18 CHs before one agreed to take my sister. It's not what I would have chosen but the homes that I thought would have suited best couldn't/wouldn't take my sister. In fairness some of the decisions were made on the basis of the needs/behaviours of the other residents and how this could affect my sister.