Kate Garroway-Care at home costs

I didn’t watch this documentary because these types of programmes feel intrusive to me, but I do think it raises awareness about an important topic, the hardship that ordinary folk may face in paying for care if even Kate Garroway couldn’t manage it.

Unless you have been involved with seeking care for a loved one you cannot imagine the stress and hardship involved.
CHC (Where the NHS covers the bills) is IMO not at all fit for purpose. It is arbitrarily awarded, accorded to finance available locally it strikes me, although looking at the criteria many more should be receiving it.
The whole care system needs a complete overhaul, and because it involves a lot of money, no government of any persuasion will tackle it.

I think it is a national disgrace.

There was only about three seconds of the funeral shown on the programme last night.

Perhaps because Hello own the copyright, but I wouldn't know.

I doubt it, somehow.

I haven’t seen the programme yet so I can’t comment on it at the moment, but from some posts I see that the funeral was covered in this documentary.

I read one report somewhere (not here) that I’m struggling to believe which claimed that OK magazine was there filming.

Surely that didn’t happen did it?

They went to Mexico twice, given the expense, logistics, effort for him, they must have felt it was beneficial to go again.

GrannyGravy13 Totally agree. If a trip to Mexico promised a glimmer of hope, they would take it.

I haven't read the full thread and I haven't seen the program so will comment after I do. But please will people open their minds a little and stop thinking 'carers' make all the decisions for the people they are caring for. The vast majority of people who have an illness or disability makes THEIR OWN decisions and this has to be supported. Even people who lack mental capacity are giving options and solutions around their own care and decisions too.

Social care is available here in Fife I get care at home 4 times a day and I get an extra 6 hrs a week from self directive payments to the tune of £6,500 which is paid directly into my bank to pay my service provider - no complaints there - well done to Fife council

A difficult subject treated with honesty and sensitivity.

As for taking Derek to Mexico, wouldn’t any of us do whatever we could for a loved one…

Huia what a wonderful thing hindsight is !!
Wouldn’t we all clutch at any straw possible if able to ?

I don’t often praise ‘celebrities’ but I think she’s done all she could and I think she will fight for us all in his name

I havent seem the programme yet, but people need hope.

She did him and her bank balance no favours by going to Mexico for some so called special treatment .

^I think Kate did Derek proud in that programme tonight it was a lovely programme, sad, but full of fight and I believe Kate will fight on in his name for other carers
She comes across as a really nice unassuming woman who genuinely wants to see changes^

Agree Bluebelle. I cried my way through this documentary. So sad, and so sad for all people in similar situations.

I think he wanted to be with his family more than he wanted relief from his limited life
I read this from a friend who cared for both her parents with dementia until they both died barely knowing each other
“The end of care giving isn’t relief …it’s grief”
I doubt if Kate did this without approval and help from Dereks family

I doubt it, with two young children, and the woman he loved.

The drive to live is incredibly strong.

She was speaking for herself

I found hearing him shrieking most disturbing

I did wonder about the lack of dignity

I wonder what his parents thought

Kate said it wasn't a relief when he died but I wonder if it was a relief for Derek

Hearing him cry was awful, but I think perhaps they both realised that Derek had reached his highest level, and was unlikely to achieve more.

Yes a lovely programme

One in five people are caring for someone, it seems.
That's an awful lot of people to cast aside and let get on with it.

Definitely MissA he wanted the film made, and their love clearly showed through but it was very very difficult for both of them imagine how he must have felt, seeing the one he loved so much, tired, sad and having to make difficult decisions when he could do nothing it must have been so frustrating for him as he was always a do-er, a campaigner but I think she will carry on campaigning in his name, Lovely young carer who obviously had a real link with him I m not surprised he needs a break Good luck to him as well

MissAdventure

Did you see that his carer was helping to carry Derek's coffin?

MissAdventure Yes I noticed… 🙏
It was a very moving programme.. I cared for my mother at home for a while until she needed hospital care.. she was often angry and swearing at me.. knew this was from her pain and frustration.. truly heartbreaking.. I’ve told my DD to not let me go down this journey..

Kate knows she was in a privileged position, in terms of income, but it was still hard, hard work looking after Derek.

I loved it when they made eye contact and said "I love you".

Its clear Derek was very able to consent to the filming.

MissA what a lovely carer he was too he worked so well and so hard with him he was obviously very moved by Dereks life touching his own

I think Kate did Derek proud in that programme tonight it was a lovely programme, sad, but full of fight and I believe Kate will fight on in his name for other carers
She comes across as a really nice unassuming woman who genuinely wants to see changes
Care home fees are ridiculous especially as carers are so poorly paid My friends mum has now gone into a nice home and yes it’s £4000 a week and this is in a small innocuous town not London or a big city and her mum doesn’t have any complex needs she just can t manage on her own any more
Well done Kate and I wish her and family can now feel less stressed knowing her darling Derek is no longer living a truly hellish, confining life

Did you see that his carer was helping to carry Derek's coffin?