Hello, my wife had just been diagnosed with PSP on Sunday last week. It's been a bit of a blur TBH and we're awaiting our Neurologist to write to our G.p with his diagnosis and hope that this would link us onto a speech and language team along with an Occupational health team, in the meantime we've been sadly busy trying to put things in place for the sad moment my wife is taken from us. So far we've looking into covering the mortgage payments as i'm the main earner now but feel i don't know how long i can carry on working as she may need me to care for her and looking at Free wills, we've joined the Pspa in the UK and they have been fantastic. I'm looking at joining a Zoom group to help me with coming to terms with the condition as a carer and hope to get some counselling. But I was wondering about my wife, of course it's an emotional/devastating time and I feel some counselling for her would be helpful too. Do I access this through the G.p or perhaps Pspa?
Also my wife has pensions but she's only 51 and of course the condition life expectation is between 5 and 7 years from start of symptoms. Would she be able to get a payment from those pensions due to getting a diagnosis?
Sorry for the long winded question but we are struggling. TIA
Derek.
Hi Derek, So sorry to hear about your wife’s diagnosis- particularly at such a young age. My mum was diagnosed almost 3 years ago, there is such a lot to take in.
It sounds like you’re getting organised. I would add that your neurologist should be able to link you in with a Parkinsons nurse, who we have found helpful.
We also had help from our local hospice. Mum was offered counselling through them, though she never took them up on it and they also helped with the Advanced Planning conversation. It was upsetting at the time but as we approach that phase now, it is reassuring that both myself and the professionals are clear about mum’s wishes. Get as much in place as you can now . Have you got Power of Attorney?
This site has been a huge help during our journey. Best wishes to you and your wife.
Take care