Everything with the carers seems to be going well, pretty much been having the same carers morning and lunchtime although there was a gap of a week with different carers in the morning because the morning carer was on holiday. It was a little chaotic as i had a different carer every day so had to explain what had to be done and where everything was eg breakfast bowls, milk, cereal etc every day which got a little annoying. Both carers are always around the same time which is good as it means i am getting into a routine; i am also able to call the agency if i want to make any changes to times or days, for example my fiance is working this weekend so the careers are coming this weekend although its likely it wont be the usual carers because they only tend to work in the week.
The carer agency hasnt gotten back to me about how long or when i will be able to go out or how long or when cleaning will be able to be done, apparently they are still working out the finances, this seems to be taking quite a while its been four weeks monday.
I had the electro nerve test at the hospital which apparently shows i dont have carpel tunnel syndrome which is apparently something the rhemotologist was looking at, they had alot of problems getting a reaction in one of my thumbs, i should recieve an appointment soon to see my rhemotologist soon to discuss it and also talk about how my fibro is doing generally.
I had a financial adviser from Social Services around yesterday the same lady who came around last week. When she came around last week she called the DLA and requested some forms so i can reapply for a higher aspect of the care componant as i am currently on the lower componant and after helping fill in the forms she thinks that i should be entitled to either middle or higher rater care, apparently i should hear something within 6-8 weeks, so fingers crossed.
Also yesterday we had the bed raisers delivered so the bed is much higher so when i sit on it to get into bed and get out it is much easier the only problem is that it is higher of course to lift my legs. We havent heard anything from the nursing team about the electric bed yet.
Only a few days left until i see wheelchair services on the 1st of July, i am starting to feel nervous.
Friday, 26 June 2009
Saturday, 13 June 2009
Carers and Crazy Tuesday
I have had my first week of having carers, overall its gone pretty well.
I have had the same carer in the morning and i am going to have the same carer in the morning continiously, getting on really well, she comes around 9.30am and makes breakfast and a cup of tea, and then helps me wash, brush hair, brush teeth etc and then assist get dressed which roughly takes an hour.
Then i have a second carer come at about 1pm and make me lunch which is about 30 minutes. The funny thing is although it wasnt intended is the lunchtime carer turned out to be my cousin which is really good because it makes me feel like i have a friend around and makes it feel less clinical. The agency said that its okay for my cousin to continue being my lunch time carer as long as she only does lunch time and not morning caring, as morning caring would be unethical. I am more than happy for my cousin to continue being my carer. The other thing that the agency said is that with my cousin being a carer that patient confientuality would have to kept.
On Thursdays i go to my mums early, my fiance starts work at 10 and takes me to my mums at 9.30 so i have to have a carer early. However the usual morning carer isnt available at 8.30 so i have a different carer and i dont have a lunchtime call because i am not at home.
Tuesday was a very busy day, i had my normal morning and afternoon carer calls, i also had someone from the agency call to write up a careplan which took an hour and an half.
Then i had someone from social services come to do a financial assessment to see if i am able to contribute towards my care, when they do this they take only my money into account... my benefits my Disability Living Allowance and also my Incapacity Benefits and also all my outgoings, they worked out that i was unable to contribute which is common with people on benefits. Then i spoke to the person about my benefits and they said that as i am not sick enough to be needing care assistance i should be entitled to the middle rate care componant of Disability Living Allowance and at the moment i am only on the lower care componant. The lady called the DLA and requested the form which came through today, i need to call her monday and make an appointment and she will help me go through the form.
After the social services lady left then my Occupational Therapist came to measure the bathroom for the wetroom and said that it should be completed within the next few months, she also ordered some "elephant feet" raisers for the current bed we have, and is refering us to the district nurses RE getting a electric bed but is not sure whether or not we will be able to get one.. The OT was here for about an hour, overall it was a very crazy day!!
Very glad it was over!!
I have had the same carer in the morning and i am going to have the same carer in the morning continiously, getting on really well, she comes around 9.30am and makes breakfast and a cup of tea, and then helps me wash, brush hair, brush teeth etc and then assist get dressed which roughly takes an hour.
Then i have a second carer come at about 1pm and make me lunch which is about 30 minutes. The funny thing is although it wasnt intended is the lunchtime carer turned out to be my cousin which is really good because it makes me feel like i have a friend around and makes it feel less clinical. The agency said that its okay for my cousin to continue being my lunch time carer as long as she only does lunch time and not morning caring, as morning caring would be unethical. I am more than happy for my cousin to continue being my carer. The other thing that the agency said is that with my cousin being a carer that patient confientuality would have to kept.
On Thursdays i go to my mums early, my fiance starts work at 10 and takes me to my mums at 9.30 so i have to have a carer early. However the usual morning carer isnt available at 8.30 so i have a different carer and i dont have a lunchtime call because i am not at home.
Tuesday was a very busy day, i had my normal morning and afternoon carer calls, i also had someone from the agency call to write up a careplan which took an hour and an half.
Then i had someone from social services come to do a financial assessment to see if i am able to contribute towards my care, when they do this they take only my money into account... my benefits my Disability Living Allowance and also my Incapacity Benefits and also all my outgoings, they worked out that i was unable to contribute which is common with people on benefits. Then i spoke to the person about my benefits and they said that as i am not sick enough to be needing care assistance i should be entitled to the middle rate care componant of Disability Living Allowance and at the moment i am only on the lower care componant. The lady called the DLA and requested the form which came through today, i need to call her monday and make an appointment and she will help me go through the form.
After the social services lady left then my Occupational Therapist came to measure the bathroom for the wetroom and said that it should be completed within the next few months, she also ordered some "elephant feet" raisers for the current bed we have, and is refering us to the district nurses RE getting a electric bed but is not sure whether or not we will be able to get one.. The OT was here for about an hour, overall it was a very crazy day!!
Very glad it was over!!
Thursday, 4 June 2009
WoW what a week
Its been one of the busiest weeks i have had in along time so much has been going on.
Tuesday i had a doctors appointment and had the results back from my Vitamin D level tests the results werent good, i have been on 2 Adcal tablets (800iu) a day for about 6 months now and my vitamin D levels still arent improving much, even apparently after we went on holiday to Cyprus and i spent hours and hours each day in the sun still didnt seem to make any difference. So my Gp descided that i should have a Vitamin D injection (300,000 iu) and see if that makes any difference. I have to have my blood tested in two months also having my thyroid tested to see if my increased Levothyroxine is helping. Its possible that the Vitamin D injections may need to be a regular thing every 6 months or so. I had the injection on thursday by the nurse.
Wednesday i had an appointment with the Sleep Clinic as i havent been sleeping that well.. well to rephrase that i have been sleeping too well.. some days 12-15 hours.. i have had the hose checked on my CPAP machine and on Wednesday the Sleep Nurse put my pressure up to 15, she also told me to keep an eye to make sure that the machine mask isnt leaking but i am always careful with that anyway.
Thursday i had an appointment with the social worker, i have been waiting ages to hear back from the social worker RE the situation about whats going to happen about a carer,she told me she had looked through my report i had written recently about what is important to me reguarding my care etc and was happy with that, and that Social Services had met up, come up with a very good figure that would allow the level of care i needed, someone to come help me get up in the morning, prepare breakfast, help me get washed, dressed, make sure i have enough drink till lunchtime, come back at lunchtime and prepare lunch and then make sure i have enough drink till my fiance comes home. She also said that there was enough money so that i would have a carer if i wanted to go out with a carer down town or down the beach or something one day a week. Also that the agency would be starting this Monday!!! i was totally taken aback and amazed after waiting all of this time for everything to happen so fast is amazing. I am waiting a phone call today (friday) from the agency to discuss details about my care etc what i require, what time i want someone to come etc.
Also thursday i had a phone call from "Wheelchair Services" giving me an appointment on the 1st of July, another thing which is starting to fall into place.. everything seems to be happening all at once its overwhelming, i just wish it had happened sooner but at least it is happening, then again i dont know how long the whole process will take but at least the ball is rolling.
Wow what a week... I have an appointment next week too for the electro nerve ending test and also an appointment with an financial adviser to discuss my benefits and they also check to see if you can contribute towards your care, apparently this is based soley on my incomings... my benefits. I also have an appointment with my Occupational Therapist next week and she is coming to measure the bathroom for the wet room. So another busy week coming up!
Tuesday i had a doctors appointment and had the results back from my Vitamin D level tests the results werent good, i have been on 2 Adcal tablets (800iu) a day for about 6 months now and my vitamin D levels still arent improving much, even apparently after we went on holiday to Cyprus and i spent hours and hours each day in the sun still didnt seem to make any difference. So my Gp descided that i should have a Vitamin D injection (300,000 iu) and see if that makes any difference. I have to have my blood tested in two months also having my thyroid tested to see if my increased Levothyroxine is helping. Its possible that the Vitamin D injections may need to be a regular thing every 6 months or so. I had the injection on thursday by the nurse.
Wednesday i had an appointment with the Sleep Clinic as i havent been sleeping that well.. well to rephrase that i have been sleeping too well.. some days 12-15 hours.. i have had the hose checked on my CPAP machine and on Wednesday the Sleep Nurse put my pressure up to 15, she also told me to keep an eye to make sure that the machine mask isnt leaking but i am always careful with that anyway.
Thursday i had an appointment with the social worker, i have been waiting ages to hear back from the social worker RE the situation about whats going to happen about a carer,she told me she had looked through my report i had written recently about what is important to me reguarding my care etc and was happy with that, and that Social Services had met up, come up with a very good figure that would allow the level of care i needed, someone to come help me get up in the morning, prepare breakfast, help me get washed, dressed, make sure i have enough drink till lunchtime, come back at lunchtime and prepare lunch and then make sure i have enough drink till my fiance comes home. She also said that there was enough money so that i would have a carer if i wanted to go out with a carer down town or down the beach or something one day a week. Also that the agency would be starting this Monday!!! i was totally taken aback and amazed after waiting all of this time for everything to happen so fast is amazing. I am waiting a phone call today (friday) from the agency to discuss details about my care etc what i require, what time i want someone to come etc.
Also thursday i had a phone call from "Wheelchair Services" giving me an appointment on the 1st of July, another thing which is starting to fall into place.. everything seems to be happening all at once its overwhelming, i just wish it had happened sooner but at least it is happening, then again i dont know how long the whole process will take but at least the ball is rolling.
Wow what a week... I have an appointment next week too for the electro nerve ending test and also an appointment with an financial adviser to discuss my benefits and they also check to see if you can contribute towards your care, apparently this is based soley on my incomings... my benefits. I also have an appointment with my Occupational Therapist next week and she is coming to measure the bathroom for the wet room. So another busy week coming up!
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