Respite support for carer - sitting service in Salford?

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My husband is now on his 4th cancer. The first was a brain tumour in 2015, throat cancer leading to his voicebox being removed in 2016, colon cancer leading to a colostomy bag in 2018 and in 2025 new tumours found. He had a short run of chemo that was so strong it nearly killed him and he's been terrible since. Started in Nov and we literally missed xmas because of the terrible side effects. In Feb he got ill with a stoma infection in hospital 2 weeks, out for 4 days and back in hospital for 7 weeks with pneumonia. He almost didn't survive. We had no care plan to come out with and struggled. After 5 days he was back in our local hospital with more pneumonia symptoms, and out for 4 days and back in again with a gall bladder infection. He is exhausted and has sleep depravation, post hospital syndrome ( almost constantly asleep, jerky movements and drops things, confusion). I have found the travelling, visiting, being his advocate for doctors and nurses and now 24 hours caring draining. Although other services off practical help like shopping cleaning, someone to manage medication etc, I don't find I need that. What I do need is to be able to go out for a bit to get away, meet a friend for coffee or lunch, have a hair appointment etc and have someone be in the house with him so I am not worrying. Has anybody found a service that can do this for them. I am based in Salford. 

  • Hi  

    Sorry to hear about your husband and understand how you feel. Sorry that I have no answer to your question not least because we are based in Oxfordshire.

    Have you been referred to a hospice at all? I know some offer an at home service and they are likely to know about what is available in your area.

    I wonder if anyone on the helpine might have some informatiion - just ring 0808 808 0000 anytime between 8am and 8pm.

    <<hugs>>

    Steve

    Community Champion Badge

  • Hello BlueUnicorn,

    My name is Lizzie and I work in the Online Community team. Our team look after the online Community, ensuring it remains safe and supportive for all members.

    I can see that you’ve replied to Steph’s blog, and it’s a really positive step that you’re speaking with healthcare professionals about referrals for additional support.

    By replying here, I’ve bumped your post so that more members of the community may see it and be able to offer support and share their experiences.

    How is your husband doing at the moment?

    If any other members have experience accessing respite care or support services while caring for a loved one, please feel free to share what helped you.

    Best wishes, 

    Lizzie

    Macmillan Online Community Team

     

  • Thank you. I do have someone to sit in when I go for a hispital appointment and I'll ask what other service they gave.