Farther in law has cancer in a number of places and given weeks. Told they could get him home for last weeks with support. Mother in law was told ( by a friend) this will cost her upto £1000 a day and would take her savings. She is now very stressed and upset. ( the family will pay if we have to as its only money) where do we find the right Information
Hello JonathanA thank you for reaching out to us here at Macmillan. I'm sorry to hear about your father in law's diagnosis and prognosis, it sounds like it is a difficult time for you and your family. Jonathan, can I ask where you father in law is currently? You mention getting him home for the last few weeks of support, is he not home yet? If not it is worth speaking back to the support workers where he is now- for instance if he is in hospital, speaking to the key worker or nurse in charge of his care and explaining your families concerns around support at home and the costs involved.
It would be worth looking our Going home from hospital booklet which explains the discharge plan and support available at home for someone who is being cared for at home.
It is also worth looking at NHS continuing care information through the NHS, even though this is separate to Macmillan, I wanted to link the information just in case it was relevant for your father in law.
Support at home can be arranged through his local authority through a care needs assessment this would include care support such as personal care, help at home and mobility support. There maybe a cost involved with this and it is worth speaking to the local authority as they are best placed to advise on the costs involved. JonathanA I can see that finances are causing a lot of worry for your mother in law and rightly so, it can be a worrying time knowing someone needs care and support and there maybe a cost involved with this, we have a financial team here at Macmillan who provide guidance and financial support they are available by calling our helpline on 0808 808 0000 choosing option 1 and 2, or through Online chat or Email, they would need to have an idea of their finances to hand so the team can give the most relevant and accurate information.
It is also worth knowing about our Macmillan nurses as they provide clinical support at home by helping manage and control any symptoms, side effects and pain, they can also provide dietary support and emotional support too. If you feel they would be beneficial then if he is in hospital this can be included as part of the discharge plan or if he is home he would need a GP or hospital consultant referral. There is no change for a Macmillan nurse as our nurses are NHS nurses who are trained and funded by Macmillan for the first few years of their post. It is important to note that if there is no Macmillan nurses availability and there is a need for nursing support, he should be offered alternative nursing of the same standard. Further information can be found here.
It is also worth looking at Marie Curie for end of life support too.
JonathanA I can imagine that this is having an impact on you and your family, we are here to support you so please do reach out. We provide a place to talk through how you are feeling, providing emotional support as well as having helpline nurses for clinical information and a work support team for work related information and guidance and the money team as mentioned previously. We are here 7 days a week 8am-8pm by calling our helpline on 0808 808 0000, Online chat and Email.
I hope the information provided has been useful, please do come back to us if needed.
Take care,
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.
