Elderly Parent early onset alzheimers
Discussion
One of my parents has been recently diagnosed and situation escalating a bit and likely to be needing more care soon,
Hoping I might be able to reduce hours/days to offer assistance to their partner whose unaffected by it, another option might be giving up work to become a carer for a while to offer help
They are fairly well off and I don't need much money to live ( have my own savings) perhaps should focus on what is important rather than work?
Even if I get only a derisory carers allowance or money for petrol from them....not sure if allowances are tested against savings
Wonder if I should be concerned for myself too as I'm not a spring chicken either although its not meant to have hereditary factors.
I quickly composed and posted a message to something and I realised in the context of my sending I had automatically typed the word "work" instead of the word "worth"....hope that isn't a tell tale?
Hoping I might be able to reduce hours/days to offer assistance to their partner whose unaffected by it, another option might be giving up work to become a carer for a while to offer help
They are fairly well off and I don't need much money to live ( have my own savings) perhaps should focus on what is important rather than work?
Even if I get only a derisory carers allowance or money for petrol from them....not sure if allowances are tested against savings
Wonder if I should be concerned for myself too as I'm not a spring chicken either although its not meant to have hereditary factors.
I quickly composed and posted a message to something and I realised in the context of my sending I had automatically typed the word "work" instead of the word "worth"....hope that isn't a tell tale?
Sorry to hear about your difficulties, its tough watching your parents become old and vulnerable.
I was at the GP myself yesterday for a memory / dementia type discussion.
Based on my conversation with the GP it certainly does appear to be hereditary as that was a significant part of the conversation.
If you have concerns I'd recommend booking an appointment with your GP and asking for them to complete a cognitive test (it only takes 2 mins) and then run some blood tests. I had to ask my GP to add low testosterone though after reading an article the day before linking low testosterone to memory loss (in both men and women).
I was at the GP myself yesterday for a memory / dementia type discussion.
Based on my conversation with the GP it certainly does appear to be hereditary as that was a significant part of the conversation.
If you have concerns I'd recommend booking an appointment with your GP and asking for them to complete a cognitive test (it only takes 2 mins) and then run some blood tests. I had to ask my GP to add low testosterone though after reading an article the day before linking low testosterone to memory loss (in both men and women).
Edited by Help78 on Thursday 2nd July 10:49
daytonavrs said:
One of my parents has been recently diagnosed and situation escalating a bit and likely to be needing more care soon,
Hoping I might be able to reduce hours/days to offer assistance to their partner whose unaffected by it, another option might be giving up work to become a carer for a while to offer help
They are fairly well off and I don't need much money to live ( have my own savings) perhaps should focus on what is important rather than work?
Even if I get only a derisory carers allowance or money for petrol from them....not sure if allowances are tested against savings
Wonder if I should be concerned for myself too as I'm not a spring chicken either although its not meant to have hereditary factors.
I quickly composed and posted a message to something and I realised in the context of my sending I had automatically typed the word "work" instead of the word "worth"....hope that isn't a tell tale?
Sorry to hear that. Hoping I might be able to reduce hours/days to offer assistance to their partner whose unaffected by it, another option might be giving up work to become a carer for a while to offer help
They are fairly well off and I don't need much money to live ( have my own savings) perhaps should focus on what is important rather than work?
Even if I get only a derisory carers allowance or money for petrol from them....not sure if allowances are tested against savings
Wonder if I should be concerned for myself too as I'm not a spring chicken either although its not meant to have hereditary factors.
I quickly composed and posted a message to something and I realised in the context of my sending I had automatically typed the word "work" instead of the word "worth"....hope that isn't a tell tale?
My Mother was diagnosed with the same at the beginning of the year.
She lives on her own - we live nowhere near her.
My biggest concern is her forgetting to take her regular medicines and we are at the point of getting in private carers for 30 minutes am and then again pm to watch her take them and do other small jobs as requested.
I’ve no doubt that this time period will need extending.
Once someone has more than £23,750 or so in savings the local council won’t want to pay themselves and will either ask for a financial assessment or you can self declare and just pay up !
Private care can be anything up to £40 or so per hour.
You can apply for attendance allowance which is not means tested in any way and also is paid net with no tax.
This usually comes in 2 amounts with the higher only being given if their needs are much greater than just am needs ie care throughout the night etc.
I am a 50/ 50 whether we get this on her behalf ( for the lower amount )and it would only offset some of the cost .
Great care needs filling out the 32 page form. Don’t lie but just answer as if “ it’s their worst day”.
Carers allowance is also available but I know very little about that.
Good luck.
Contact Age concern.
I did on behalf of an 89 year old friend who is a full time carer for his bedridden wife who also has dementia.
You apply for forms after making an appointment for a visit, usually a 4 week wait, and the visitor will explain the benefits you are entitled to and fill in the relevant forms.
They also got her care team reviewed, which he had failed to do in 3 years. Not through lack of trying.
I did on behalf of an 89 year old friend who is a full time carer for his bedridden wife who also has dementia.
You apply for forms after making an appointment for a visit, usually a 4 week wait, and the visitor will explain the benefits you are entitled to and fill in the relevant forms.
They also got her care team reviewed, which he had failed to do in 3 years. Not through lack of trying.
daytonavrs said:
One of my parents has been recently diagnosed and situation escalating a bit and likely to be needing more care soon,
Hoping I might be able to reduce hours/days to offer assistance to their partner whose unaffected by it, another option might be giving up work to become a carer for a while to offer help
They are fairly well off and I don't need much money to live ( have my own savings) perhaps should focus on what is important rather than work?
Even if I get only a derisory carers allowance or money for petrol from them....not sure if allowances are tested against savings
Wonder if I should be concerned for myself too as I'm not a spring chicken either although its not meant to have hereditary factors.
I quickly composed and posted a message to something and I realised in the context of my sending I had automatically typed the word "work" instead of the word "worth"....hope that isn't a tell tale?
Sorry to hear this, I lost my mother a few years ago to this. Do you have a power of attorney for health & wealth, if not are they with it enough to do this. also you should get them to do an Advance Directive because even if you have PoA on Health doctors can still overrule you as they did on treating my mum Hoping I might be able to reduce hours/days to offer assistance to their partner whose unaffected by it, another option might be giving up work to become a carer for a while to offer help
They are fairly well off and I don't need much money to live ( have my own savings) perhaps should focus on what is important rather than work?
Even if I get only a derisory carers allowance or money for petrol from them....not sure if allowances are tested against savings
Wonder if I should be concerned for myself too as I'm not a spring chicken either although its not meant to have hereditary factors.
I quickly composed and posted a message to something and I realised in the context of my sending I had automatically typed the word "work" instead of the word "worth"....hope that isn't a tell tale?
Thank you all
I already have the power of attorney, need to check the details but think it may be both if not only financial
Respectfully considering the longer term situation he's been in with a very supportive long partner, seeing what we can do to help her for now I think and going to doctors altogether which should resolve even if the attorney thing isn't health specific that we can be involved in discussion.
They aren't even aware of the downturn yet as I wasn't able to convey the message yet.
I already have the power of attorney, need to check the details but think it may be both if not only financial
Respectfully considering the longer term situation he's been in with a very supportive long partner, seeing what we can do to help her for now I think and going to doctors altogether which should resolve even if the attorney thing isn't health specific that we can be involved in discussion.
They aren't even aware of the downturn yet as I wasn't able to convey the message yet.
Depending on how you approach it you may be able to obtain medical records from your parents GP with or without use of the LPA ( whether Health or Financial ).
I wanted to see Mum's and spoke to the GP and surgery and said I had full LPA and wanted to read through timings of various meetings with them when I compiled the AA form but they said whilst that was ok they also needed her permission to let me see them.
I managed to get her to walk to the surgery ( 5 minutes away ) and do just that and 5 minutes later I got the whole record sent !
it was much easier than arguing about the right of the LPA.
I wanted to see Mum's and spoke to the GP and surgery and said I had full LPA and wanted to read through timings of various meetings with them when I compiled the AA form but they said whilst that was ok they also needed her permission to let me see them.
I managed to get her to walk to the surgery ( 5 minutes away ) and do just that and 5 minutes later I got the whole record sent !
it was much easier than arguing about the right of the LPA.
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