Home Care For Elderly Relative

[Barquentine]

My wife has left me! She has moved in with her mother who needs full-time care. Her sister (who is not helpful) eventually agreed to relieve my wife one day a week. Mother-in-law is on anti-psychotics and we await diagnosis of possible Alzheimer's. She function but moves very slowly. She can wash and dress and cook for herself but sometimes she loses balance so need someone there 24/7. She cannot go out to the shops by herself. Does anyone know what alternative options there are. It is very tiring for my wife who is also working full-time. Her employer is very good and allows her to work remotely and she is a valued member of their team, but she continues working into the evening because of so many interruptions to help her Mum everyday. Is there any free care available for a limited time? The NHS arranged 4 carers a day but they would come at different times everyday - whereas her medication has set times inconsistent with the lack of established times. Any ideas for alternative solutions?

[gness]

Barquentine, my mother had free carers, not NHS but I'd need to check where they came from. They weren't regular in their times though so not much help if that's what you need.
As for medication. We got an expensive but free to us (again will check where from) pill dispenser. My brother or I would fill it weekly and set the timer to buzz and compartments open for my mum to take the pills. I don't know whether this would suit your mother-in-law....would she be able to use it to take her medication regularly?

[sandyRoe]

Have you and your wife considered a nursing home for her mother? There's only so much we can do for the ones who we love before the care we give impacts in our own health.

[Tuvok]

Have seen adverts on tv for care in your own home. Homecare I think.

[sandyRoe]

Tuvok,
I hope that's a lot better than 'Care in the community', where mentally ill people ended up sleeping on the streets.

[barry1010]

It certainly is a lot better than 'care in the community' - you have to pay for it

[barry1010]

Is your mother-in-law getting every benefit she is entitled to? It could help pay for care she needs.

[Barquentine]

Thank you Gness - that sounds very interesting if you could find out more details about free carers. I will look up that pill dispenser - what a brilliant idea. My wife got her an alarm clock that speaks reminders at set times to tell her it's time to take medication. I can also record specific messages for it to speak - but still working out how that works!