Four positive tests

Hi, Helen
Yes your right about attendance allowance. Mum fell and broke her hip in June last year, it was just after Christmas when she started receiving it I think it was backdated but might be wrong. She’s a little better thanks, I’ve had the Dr out today as she has a lot of pain in her back and a UTI. whatever next, she’s on antibiotics and painkillers now, so hopefully it won’t be too long before she’s feeling better.
Mum was the same about accepting more care, she had 1 visit a day before, now 3, but she said today she couldn’t manage without them, and she really couldn’t she can’t stand long enough to make food or wash, she is very weak, but a fighter, bless her.

Katyj
Thanks. Hope your mum is a little better today. I think my mum is deluding herself that everything will return to “nearly” normal when she gets home, I think it will be very difficult, I just hope she accepts the 6 week care package gracefully - she was very quick to dismiss it after her hip replacement but this time she’s going to need it - and ongoing too.
Like yourself we’ll need to look into attendance allowance, but don’t think she can claim for 6 months ?
Good luck to you & your Mum xx

Thank you Daftbag. She has had an increase in pension credits, since she claimed attendance allowance although the increases have to be used to pay for the carers , swings and roundabouts. She also has Telecare. Didn’t know about armed forces though etc. Lots to look into.

If she is already wired up for assistive technology, it's worth checking to see if there are any services available to help her (there are fall alerts, alerts that someone is getting out of beds, chairs, movement sensors etc. Some will be chargeable others not. (Help may be available from benevolent trusts, or councils)

Does your mum get benefits? It sounds as though she is entitled to Attendance allowance, which may in turn entitle her to increases to pension credit etc. The questions can seem to be very personal, but it's well worth her persevering. It's often best to get help with the money side of things. Your local CAB, Age UK, or if she or your father were ever involved with the armed forces (even just a day of national service), then she may have entitlement to help. There are also benevolent trusts set up to assist gentle townsfolk / ladies, these may help your mum to remain independently at home

Helen. Mum tested positive on the day she was discharged, they still sent her home. She’s not too well today, doesn’t want to get out of bed, and in pain from her back. Best wishes to your mum ,i hope she’s okay I’m thinking this is going to be a long road to recovery.

I know carers all wear a level of PPE, but if somebody they are caring for is Covid positive they are informed before discharge from hospital to make sure the level of protection they use for everybody is adequate for that persons needs, and upgrade their mask if needed don’t they (that’s what happens where I am).

Katyj
The Occ Therapist said they would try to get her tested before discharge, but no guarantees!
Like you, I was planning on staying over for mums first night at home “just in case”. I wouldn’t put it past her to try to get out of bed on her own!

Casdon

Phoelbundle they know she is infectious, that’s why the carers will be wearing PPE. The fact that she’s still infectious doesn’t mean that she’s still ill though, so she doesn’t need to be in hospital, she will flourish much better in her home environment.

ALL Community Carers wear PPE regardless of the health condition of their clients! It is worn to protect the Carer AND the client!

Katyj

Thank you to those that suggested the cameras ,they do look great a very good idea but unfortunately their too expensive for mum.

We had a WIFI security camera for my mum which could be viewed from our smart phones. You can get one for around £25. She had dementia so we could keep checking she wasn't trying to get out of bed.

Hi, Helen. So scary as you say, it’s the complete opposite of what would normally be happening. I would usually bring her home make her a meal and stay a while, of course non of this can happen I feel like I’ve abandoned her. It’s surprising you have been told you mustn’t visit, the social worker and nurses said I could visit with Ppe but the carers said best not to. I don’t feel it’s safe enough at the moment, snd mum doesn’t want to put us at risk. Did they say wether they would be retesting your mum ?

Hi Katyj
We’re in exactly the same position, 81 yr old mum coming home on Wednesday after 6 weeks in hospital, and 10 days after testing positive for Covid - she lives on her own and recently had 2 strokes so not mobile. Carers coming 4times a day, Sister & I who live 60+ miles from mum (in opposite directions) & both clinically extremely vulnerable have been told she must isolate for 14 days after discharge & we mustn’t visit, so only carers will see her. We’ve got a food delivery coming the day before she comes out, and going to be there to accept it, have planned 14 days of 3 x easy/quick meals for carers to prepare, and have created a downstairs bed space in the lounge for her. We’re both really worried and just hoping everything goes well, we’ve tried to think of everything (lights on timers for her as she can’t get to any switches etc)
Like your mum, she has full capacity & is determined to get home as she can’t sleep due to the excessive noise from some very poorly patients.
Fingers crossed, scary times

Thank you to those that suggested the cameras ,they do look great a very good idea but unfortunately their too expensive for mum.

Hi Everyone. Mum came home yesterday after spending 5 week on a rehabilitation ward, they’ve deemed her well enough. She so wanted to come home and has the mental capacity to still make her own decisions. She had a good nights sleep, is still a little confused, but just about coping. The carers stay for 30 minutes each time she’s desperate for a shower but their saying there isn’t enough time as they have to make a meal as well . Think I’ll need to get in touch with the social worker, see if we can have more time awarded.

Another alternative is ask her social worker in hospital if she can go into a respite home for a couple of weeks. We did this with my mother when she came out of hospital until we were happy that she should be at home and could be left for a few hours here and there in between carers visits. Don’t just take their word for it that your mother will be fine when she’s home, go with your gut instinct and insist on respite care if your not happy for peace of mind.

It is much the best for her well being that your mother returns home as soon as possible. Even a little time away from her normal routine makes it difficult to pick up the threads of her life again.

If you are worried you might like to agree with her to install a system like Just checking. This will give you peace of mind and alert you to problems. It also will allow you to know that the carers have visited and how long they have spent with your mother. You put one sensor to monitor the front door, one for the toilet etc. They are infra red beams not cameras.

justchecking.co.uk/

Phoelbundle they know she is infectious, that’s why the carers will be wearing PPE. The fact that she’s still infectious doesn’t mean that she’s still ill though, so she doesn’t need to be in hospital, she will flourish much better in her home environment.

You will still test positive for up to 90 days after contracting covid due to the antibodies

I don't know how easily or quickly it could be done, but could you get cameras installed in her home so you can keep an eye on her.

My mother in law lives alone and has had a series of falls recently, so my sister in law (who lives close by - we are 200 miles away) installed a GrannyCam so they can keep an eye on her.

Would that maybe be a possibility in your mother's case?

I would refuse to accept her home. How the hell do they know she's not infectious? Nobody knows for sure.

It seems to me that your mother would be better off at home with good care. It’s what I would want for her if I was you.

Well done though to those who have to care for her.

Is your mother at all tech savvy? If she has Wi-fi there are all sorts of devices that can help to allay your worries at night.

That is not right. What does your doctor say.

A risk assessment has probably shown she is better off at home

Your quite right to be concerned - the clever people say the test they use will pick up positive indications long after the infection has gone. Its so accurate it picks up the destroyed particles of the bug. I would definitely check with the Ward or your GP, Be Safe cheers

Katyj

Hi. Yes the care agency have agreed to care for her with PPE . She is confused and not sleeping well in hospital, so hopefully will improve at home. I’m a worrier and stressed out at the thought of her being on her own during the night, but the hospital and social worker are telling me she should be okay ?

Probably confused because she's not sleeping well!

Thank you Casdon I’ll look into that. She has telecare but they’ll only come if I’m not available, but there may be something else. Thank you to everyone that has replied. I’ll update in a few days.