At Home Care

Hello Niamh CANADA 

 I am so sorry to hear about your Grandpa.  I can’t imagine how difficult this must be, especially living so far away.  May I ask, how are you and your parents?  I can only imagine you are overwhelmed with worry.  I can appreciate that the level of care at home needs to be right for both of your grandparents.

I apologise for the very long post.

I am wondering, is your Grandpa still in hospital since your post?  I ask, as this may be of help to your family.  Should you feel, discharging your Grandpa now, is unsafe, you may let his hospital team know.   You may ask for “unsafe discharge” to be noted in his file for everyone caring for him to see.  Age UK has some information about this, that may be helpful.   Should you feel his discharge is unsafe, going back to his house may be paused, until everything is in place to ensure he is safe at home

You mention Carers have been arranged, so perhaps a discharge meeting within the hospital has taken place?  This is a meeting to prepare for life outside of hospital.   Were family members invited to attend?  This link will give you information about a hospital discharge: you may like to note on this web page “It is important that you, your family and carers are involved in these plans”  I hope this gives you comfort that you may have the opportunity to explain Grandpa’s living situation, and how much care he will need:  you know his situation at home better than anyone.  

Another team who can attend this meeting are Adult Social Services, and as care at home is mentioned, perhaps this team are involved at this stage.  Daytime care 4 times a day is often offered as the maximum care they can give.  Sometimes if patients need palliative support  they can access overnight nursing care via Marie Curie this link gives you some information plus their phone and online chat options.  The hospital team will also guide you as a referral for these services will be needed.  

I appreciate your point about paying for care, but, as overnight care can be hard to source, I will post an option for your consideration.  Care and Nursing support at home may be sourced via the Care at home with The British Nursing Association.  Their help number is 24/7

 Your concern about funding is understandable, and this is such a complex area, but, again one that is often discussed with Adult Social services at the discharge meeting mentioned above.  The Social Worker assigned to your Grandpa will walk you through this, but you may also like to consider asking about an NHS Continuing Healthcare Assessment.  This is a specialist conversation that requires the input of your Grandpa’s hospital team, but as you can see from my Age UK link, is worthy of discussion.  Our Money Team mentioned below may also help with a financial conversation around benefits etc that your Grandparents may be entitled to.  

I appreciate you are in Canada, but, perhaps Grandpa’s hospital team can find a way of communicating this delicate situation with you?   If you find communicating with the hospital a challenge, you may like to reach out to their Patient Advice Liaison Team This team works behind the scenes at the hospital to help bring patients and their families the support they need.  Perhaps an advocate at the hospital is an option?  You may find your Grandpa’s hospital team, via this Find your PALS team link. 

To your last point regarding “facilities you can take him”  Are you asking about residential or nursing home options?   If this is the case, Adult Social Services, or Grandpa’s GP will be able to help, or, if he is in England, the Care Quality Commission will help you to find the highest rated Care Homes, or Homecare  Agencies.  

 Niamh CANADA of course you are very welcome to come back to this post for additional support, but you may like to live chat with us between the hours of 8am and 8pm UK time.  The web chat service is manned by an Advisor who can help to guide you.  You may also like to call us between 8am and 8pm on +44 207 091 2230. Please note that calls to this number are not free when made from phones based outside the UK. 

You may access different teams from the phone line and web chat options; for example, we can support you with a chat about your post above, but also we have Cancer Information Nurses and a Money Team, should you wish to enquire about any benefits your Grandpa may be entitled to. The Information Advice team work every day, whilst the Money Team work Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.

 Niamh CANADA   I am going to stop posting now, as this is so complex, I may be in danger of overwhelming you.  You may always come back and post again, or, use the “live” options mentioned above.

I wish your Grandparents, and indeed you and your family the very best in navigating this challenging time.

Take care and best wishes.