Elin
1 month ago
Hi Lorimay,
Welcome to the Marie Curie
Community and thank you for sharing your experience with us and others. We are
sorry to read of your father’s diagnosis and the recent loss of your brother.
It sounds like it has been an overwhelming time and understandably, you and
your siblings want your parents to receive the support they may be eligible
for.
It may be helpful to reach
out to the local authority to request a care needs assessment. A care needs
assessment is carried out by social services to find out what help and support
the person needs including home adaptations, equipment and help in the home. As
your dad’s main carer, your mum should be entitled to a carer’s assessment.
This assessment will look to support her including equipment, financial support
and respite from caring responsibilities. If you would like to find out more
information, our webpage can be found here: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/terminal-illness/care-needs/social-care
It may also be helpful to
discuss nursing care and support options with your father’s GP. We have some
information on our website about how to access nursing care and the
professionals that may be involved below:
·
https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/terminal-illness/care-needs/nursing-and-personal-care
·
https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/diagnosed/practical-emotional-support/people-involved
Here on the Support Line while
we are not benefit advisors, we can provide information about benefits. There
will hopefully also be local advice services in your area, such as Citizen’s
Advice or, depending on your parents age, Age UK may also offer benefit advice.
Your local advice services can be found here:
·
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/search-for-your-local-citizens-advice/
·
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/in-your-area/
If useful, Turn2Us are also
an organisation that can help to find local advisors on benefits and other
practical help. Their advice finder can be found here: https://advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk/
If you would like to talk
more about your experience, our Marie Curie Community is your safe space, to
share as much or as little as you wish and to ask any questions you may have.
Hopefully others here on the Marie Curie Community can share their experiences
and insights, perhaps talk about ways in which they managed similar situations.
Our Support Line is also here
for you and if you would like to speak with one of our team with any questions
or simply for a listening ear, we are on Freephone 0800 090 2309.
Take care,
Elin - Support Line Officer
