care at home, nursing home

care at home for husband with alzheimers disease

Care at Home for Husband with Alzheimer's Disease
Self-funded person needing a Care Home with Nursing placement

Summary

A client asks Grace Consulting to advise on and provide care alternatives for her husband who has Alzheimer's Disease. Grace Consulting recommends care provision at home, researches the options and provides the client with a short-list of the most appropriate care agencies with recommended prices. The client is happy: she has found the best care agency for her needs, within her price range, and she has saved money by making an informed choice of care and provider.

The Enquiry

Following a solicitor's introduction, Mrs Baker (age 71) telephoned Grace Consulting to enquire about their services and to discuss whether Grace could help her in caring for her husband (age 72) who has Alzheimer's Disease.

She was advised how Grace could help and a consultation was arranged for the following day with one of Grace's Senior Independent Care Advisers.

The Consultation

Mrs Baker was visited by the Grace Consulting Independent Care Adviser. First she was given the opportunity to discuss the overall situation from her own perspective. Then the Care Adviser established the physical and mental health needs of the client, the available support for both client and carer and the medical history of the client. Funding and personal criteria were also established.

Overall Situation

Mr Baker had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease several months previously, but was otherwise physically fit. Mr and Mrs Baker live together in their privately owned detached house. Mrs Baker was considering both his short and long term care needs. She was finding it increasingly difficult to cope with her husband's confusion and verbal aggression. The couple have four children, all living in different areas of the country. Although they are available in the event of a crisis, they would be unable to contribute towards the day-to-day care issues.

Mrs Baker assisted her husband with washing, dressing, toileting and feeding. She also did all the laundry, shopping, housework and cooking herself. Mr Baker has attended a local Day Centre in the past but has refused to return. An initial assessment by Social Services quickly established that Mr Baker would not be eligible for financial assistance and there has been no further support from them.

Outcome of the Grace Consulting Consultation

During the course of the consultation both care at home and residential care were discussed. Mrs Baker was reassured by the knowledge that should residential care be required in the future Grace would be able to provide professional help and guidance on how to proceed.

Following the discussion Mrs Baker asked Grace Consulting to:

Research Care Agencies able to provide a flexible sitting service together with light domestic tasks.
Provide additional information on the role of The Public Guardianship Office and how to apply for his Attendance Allowance.

Confirmation Letter

Following the consultation, Grace Consulting wrote to Mrs Baker, giving a summary of the Bakers' situation, Mrs Baker's instructions and a proposed care plan.

Mrs Baker gave permission for a letter to be sent to Mr Baker's GP informing him of Grace's involvement in assisting the client and his wife to find suitable care.

Researching the Options

Grace Consulting carried out the work and research required to identify, contact and short-list the appropriate Care Agencies local to Mr and Mrs Baker.

The Report

A report was prepared for the client, including details and current brochures for the recommended Care Agencies, together with supplementary information relevant to Mr and Mrs Baker's situation such as an information booklet from the Public Guardianship Office.

Follow Up Phone Call

Grace Consulting made telephone contact with Mrs Baker three days after sending the report to ensure that it had been received and understood.

A further call was made two weeks later to see how the selection process was progressing. Mrs Baker had contacted the agencies by telephone and selected two of them. She was planning to employ carers for two days per week to provide her with a break, thus enabling her to care for her husband in their own home for longer. She had found the supplementary information included in the report helpful. As a result she has applied for Attendance Allowance, contacted the Public Guardianship Office and made an appointment with an independent financial adviser.

It was agreed that Grace would call Mrs Baker again in 3 months time to review the care requirements.

Summary

self funded person needing a nursing home placement

A client asked Grace Consulting to advise on and provide her with the most appropriate care home with nursing alternatives for her needs. Grace researched the various options and provided the client with a shortlist of the most appropriate care homes. The client visited the homes and selected one. The client was happy: she had chosen the right care home with nursing and had saved money by making an informed choice.

The Enquiry

Miss Wakefield contacted Grace Consulting with regard to advice on finding a care home with nursing. A consultation by personal visit from one of Grace Consulting's Senior Care Advisers (a nurse) was arranged for later the same week.

The Consultation

The Grace Consulting Independent Care Adviser met with Miss Wakefield at home as arranged. Miss Wakefield was first given the opportunity to discuss the overall situation from her own perspective. The Care Adviser then established her physical and mental health needs, the available support and her medical history. Funding and personal criteria were also established.

Overall Situation

Miss Wakefield was a 78 year-old retired teacher who was mentally alert and intelligent. She had lived in her current, privately owned home for many years but was now considering her options because of ill health. Despite suffering with incontinence problems and severe breathlessness she was remarkably independent in her own home. She was an articulate lady, well able to recognise and communicate her care needs. She was aware that she was prone to falls. She had no family in the UK and her local friends had either passed away or moved from the area. She employed domestic help and had meals on wheels but was not currently receiving any personal care.

Outcome of Consultation

During the course of the Consultation both care at home and residential care were discussed. Sources of additional support at home were identified but quickly discounted by Miss Wakefield as she was keen to shed herself of the responsibility of running her own home and of providing care to herself in it.

Following the discussion, which clarified her requirements, Miss Wakefield asked Grace Consulting to research Care Homes with Nursing with large en-suite bedroom facilities or a suite on the ground floor, within a 20 mile radius of her current address. She was advised that Grace would be able to accompany her to view homes of interest in due course if this service was required.

Confirmation Letter

Following the consultation, Grace Consulting wrote to Miss Wakefield, giving a summary of her situation and her instructions.

Researching the Options

With due regard to Miss Wakefield's care, social, financial and geographical requirements, Grace Consulting researched their specialist databases and selected appropriate target care homes with nursing which would meet the specific criteria, and then contacted them to check room availability and negotiate prices. Miss Wakefield's individual care needs were discussed with the matron of each establishment to ensure that these could be met. Grace was then able to provide a shortlist of appropriate homes that most closely met the criteria set by Miss Wakefield.

The Report

A report was prepared for Miss Wakefield, including details and current brochures for each of the suggested Care Homes with Nursing, together with supplementary information relevant to Miss Wakefield's situation.

Follow Up Phone Call

Grace Consulting made telephone contact with Miss Wakefield three days after sending the report to ensure that it had been received and understood and to answer any queries arising from it.

A further call was made two weeks later to check Miss Wakefield's progress with her selection. Miss Wakefield had visited a number of homes and selected the one she was most happy with.

Result

Miss Wakefield selected her favoured care home with nursing. She was entirely satisfied: she had found the best care home with nursing for her needs and had saved money by making an informed choice.

If you require further information or would like to speak to one of our specialist advisers in person, please call 0800 137 669 or complete our e-mail enquiry form.