Hi, I’ve been a member on here for a couple of years, and regularly read all the posts, but this is the first time I have written a post. My mother was diagnosed with Psp about 3 years ago but has suffered with symptoms for about 6 years, 100’s of falls, voice nearly gone, unable to write, she is now using my dads wheelchair to move around.
My question is, to all the families that have received chc funding, what were your loved ones abilities/ care needs at the point that funding was either first discussed or granted? I know about the toolkit etc, but when I asked social services for a care assessment, and a social worker came out, she said she wouldn’t do one unless we wanted them to provide a package of care? Which we didn’t ... as I’ll explain!
My father was, up until 2 and a half years ago, my mothers full time carer, until he fell over and suffered s near fatel subdural haematoma, which has left him in a wheelchair. He got discharged from hospital 4 months later with a reenablement package of 2 caters 4 time daily. The carers would not allowed to help my mum. Therefore as a family, we thought the only solution would be to get a live in carer privately, that would care for both of them, as between my mum and my dad needs, they are totally reliant on the help of others. Because my parents have savings social services will not provide any care, however I am now wondering wether the NHS would/ should?
Sorry for the ramble.... I hope it makes sense!!!
Written by
SarahB1972
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I'm sorry your Mum is struggling so much. It sounds like you have it full on. My heart goes out to you all.
You will likely find quite a difference in peoples reports about the point a which they received funding because even if they all had the same DST scores there is, "frequency and intensity of need, unpredictability, deterioration and any instability." which makes a huge difference.
Add to that variation between Trusts and even assessors.
With regard to you father: Social Services cannot refuse to assess. They can means test and tell you what portion that would fall due to your Father. He can at that point walk away without being assessed. However by law they must assess if you request it, no buts. The only exceptions I am aware of are where CHC is being provided and in that case it would be illegal for them to assess as by definition they have already stated that it is beyond their legal limit, then the NHS has to provide.
The second scenario where they might not have to assess is where you have said that you would refuse any service you have to contribute toward. In that case they might be wise just to do a means test to assure themselves and inform you of any possible costs. They can't include the family home in the means test because your mother is in it. So its just your Father's savings investments and pension and they cannot include your Mother's savings investments and pension.
The social worker was incorrect on another point: Should your Father have sufficient funds to be required to pay all of the care they are still legally obliged to assess and to help him get that care in place. The assessments are a professional analysis of need, not only a gateway to funding.
The social worker was incorrect on another point. If your Father was to be awarded Social Care Funding you have a legal right to ask for Direct Payments which would be to the value of the Social Care Funding they would have put in place. You could then spend it within the agreed care plan as you wish. Even then you can ask them to assist you in finding the care you are going to buy in yourself. Again all of this is a legal right. Word of warning: You cannot pay your family to do the care and if you pay an individual to do it privately they must be a sole trader or Ltd company. Otherwise you become the employer and have to do the tax and N.I. and get employers liability insurance... the whole hog.
Moving on to CHC you've already cited more than enough evidence that your Mum is likely to be eligible for CHC. Simply ask the GP to make a referral to the CCG for an assessment. Again this is your mother's legal right and they have to assess by law. If they say no and your mother's condition worsens simply tell them what has changed and ask for a review. Again they are required to re-assess if the changes are material.
If you do make an application please feel free to post asking how to prepare for the assessment and plan to be there for all of their assessments. It makes a huge difference sometimes. There are a lot of folk on this site with a lot to offer on CHC advice.
It sounds like it is a tough situation.
Do come back for clarification or whatever.
Best to you
Kevin
PS An amazing live in carer to care for two people. Caring for one is a job and a half.
Going though this at the moment with Dad. He is currently self-funded in a very nice (and very expensive) care home, but is going to need moving soon into a nursing home as he is deteriorating (and we can’t afford it much longer!). We have a meeting on 8th May.
It may well be that your Dad is at a stage where he might get CHC funding.
A word of warning. Please do not let the home or GP put you off asking for a referral to the CCG for an assessment.
It is a complex area which most clinicians outside of CCG have ever read up on. So often a Nursing Home will go by their own experience and say things like, "You can only get it in the last few weeks of life. Or oh, he's not at that stage yet." Only because they have only seen a few severe cases who have had it. This is common.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
CHC Funding again
CHC FUNDING ( small print )
CHC FUNDING - WILL I GET IT?
CHC funding in a nursing home
