Hi, just asking this question on behalf of a friend, if that’s ok. She is currently caring for her husband who has Alzheimer’s disease and is getting to the stage where there is talk of carers being involved, mainly so she can get a break, go to the gym, social occasions, that sort of thing. However, a family member has said that she need to get her husbands permission before she can engage anyone. Is that right? I certainly did not ask my mums express permission when I employed carers for her. Surely the fact that dementia is present means that capacity is diminished? Any advice would be appreciated as I know she needs the help. BTW, social services are not involved at the present time. Thank you in advance x
He needs his wife to be fit and well to care for him. She deserves help with cleaning and running the house. Once the “cleaner” has become a regular feature in the household, the wife can pop out for longer and longer periods, confident that someone is with him. Alternatively, ask the “family member” to look after him for a couple of weeks so the wife can have a proper break!?"
I agree 100% but I think its been said as if it was a legal requirement! In all my (past) dealings with care agencies I’ve never heard of getting permission.
If a carer needs a break, then they need a replacement!
If he’s got to the stage where carers are needed to help care for him, then he likely can’t make a decision about carers. If social services do get involved, they’ll want to ensure that this is the case, but if she’s going to do this without, then she can simply act in his best interests - and his best interests are that his wife is fit to support him.
If he can be involved, it’s better, but not at the risk of getting no help.
If he’s like a lot of people with dementia, new faces are likely to unsettle him, and it will be important to make sure the agency can assign just a few workers to support him so he can get used to them. Too many changes will unsettle him, too.
1 Like
Thanks for your replies, I have passed them on. I’m sure it will be helpful
x
1 Like