Hi mum has been diagnosed with lung cancer, no treatment to be given, has fibromyalgia, copd, asthma and little mobility and dad has wet macular disease in his only eye, is there any help they can get with cleaning their home, they don’t want to bother us children. It’s getting mum down as she’s struggling and dad can’t see what he needs to do most of the time.
Hello Angie and thank you for contacting the online community.
I’m really sorry to hear about your mum’s diagnosis. It’s understandable that your parents are struggling to keep on top of things with their health issues, it must be so frustrating for them.
Your parents can ask social services for an assessment of their needs to see what might help them. They may be eligible for help from care workers (sometimes called personal assistants or home helps depending on where in the UK they are).
Care workers may do certain jobs around the house such as cleaning, washing, cooking and shopping. They may also provide personal care, such as washing and dressing. Their local social services or the Carers Trust can tell them what is available in their area.
Are your parents in a position where they could use a cleaning agency Angie? They could ask friends or neighbours if they know of any or there may be adverts in a local newspaper or online. Agencies can be expensive, so it is a good idea to compare a few, to find the best price. (Our Money & Work team can perform a benefit check for your parents to see if there’s any financial support available such as Attendance Allowance. They will need information about their income, outgoings and any savings/investments they might have.)
Our Macmillan Buddies can help with some jobs around the house such as light housework, hoovering, changing the bedding, loading the dishwasher etc. You or your parents can enter their details into the website, and they will have an assessment which will then lead to them being assigned an appropriate buddy.
I appreciate it can’t be easy knowing your parents are struggling just now Angie, how are you? We’re here to support you all emotionally so please stay in touch if it helps to talk. We also have nurses here on our support line if any of you have clinical questions about your mum’s diagnosis.
Take care.
Alex, Information and Support Adviser
Remember you can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or by email.
