topic Re: does anyone know about dementia? in Community Spirit

does anyone know about dementia?

kengillard — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:04:51 GMT

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

kengillard — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:06:34 GMT

any infomation would be good. xx

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

the_bob_delusion — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:12:05 GMT

try google.

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

*elizabeths-mum* — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:12:48 GMT

http://www.health.gov.au/dementia

What sorts of things do you want to know?

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

kengillard — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:18:01 GMT

my OH is getting worse by the day. when can I get him into high care, and how much does it cost? do I have to sell our house?

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

azureline** — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:21:14 GMT

You do not have to sell your house Gill.

Get an ACAT assesment done and approach some nursing homes, preferably Church run homes.

Cost is dependant on his assetts.

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

Anonymous — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:23:39 GMT

kengillard ..have you had him assessed ??

this would be the first step i would take , i am not sure what state your in or the rules of each state .

aged care assesment team organises everything here .

you sound like you are at your wits end ,see your gp and ask about respite first ..its a foot in the door and will give you time to gather your thoughts iykwim.

then take it from there ..they can organize things for you xxx

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

kitty-kat1234 — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:24:12 GMT

Hi,my heart goes out to you dealing with this.

There is alot of info on the web which will point you in the right direction,has he been tested yet.

There has been chats about this before on here,i started one awhile ago BUT you end up very emotional taking about it.

Its such a cruel horrible thing.

There is help out there with respite care,putting different plans into action etc......

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

azureline** — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:24:58 GMT

Some of the ones around do require a bond but they are probably not the ones you want. Also consider ones that have independent units in case you decide to sell and move closer to him.

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

the_great_she_elephant — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:26:08 GMT

His GP can arrange for an assessment. Are you currently caring for him at home, or is he in a low care facility?

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

kitty-kat1234 — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:28:25 GMT

Also there is a drug they can take which helps some,if it helps them its free,my mum takes it & it has helped to a degree.

Also keeping them busy with activities that stimulates their brain helps,but it takes its toll on all concerned.

Reach out for help,please!

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

azureline** — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:31:42 GMT

Gill, his ACAT will determine what care he needs, then you can apply for a vacancy to suit him, whether it be low care, high care or secure unit. They take 85% of his pension.....if he gets one. Plus a daily fee, dependent on his assetts.

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

*elizabeths-mum* — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:35:16 GMT

I don't know where you are, but he may be eligible for a public funded bed in a nursing home. If he is becoming really unmanageable or aggressive, you could contact your local hospital for a psych assessment (consider counseling for yourself as well, depression and anxiety are common in spouses of people with dementia) If he fits the criteria, you may be able to get him into respite care with view to longer term placement. He should have an aged care assessment team (acat) visit if he hasn't already done so. Contact your local hospital or doctor for more information. Start things moving as soon as possible because it can be a drawn out process.

I understand it can be a very expensive illness and have been told by children and spouses that financially the best thing you can do is divorce upon diagnosis so that you aren't left with little resources for your own old age.

I'm sorry you have this to face.

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

azureline** — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:35:57 GMT

There is no need for a divorce. While one family member remains in the home, only his share will be taken into account for assetts.

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

azureline** — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:46:25 GMT

Gill, I have just checked the paperwork and your home will not be counted as his asset while you are living in it. So, he would probably just be paying the standard daily fee, 85% of a pension.

There is no need to be concerned about the financial side of it, everything will be taken into account but first you need to know what kind of placement he needs.

Hope you are ok 🙂

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

*elizabeths-mum* — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:49:40 GMT

That is just what I have been told. If the divorce occurs while the person with dementia is still able to function, the house can be made over to the well partner to give them some security.

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

Anonymous — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:51:05 GMT

I understand it can be a very expensive illness and have been told by children and spouses that financially the best thing you can do is divorce upon diagnosis so that you aren't left with little resources for your own old age.

omg ..never heard of that happening here ..

as far as i know you do not need a bond for high care ,only low care ...and this depends on the assets ..

the family home is not included in the assets if the spouse is still living in it .

we needed a bond for aunty as she stared in low care and her hubby had passed so all her assets were hers iykwim .

we did not need a bond for my dad ,even tho he owned his own home ,he went straight into high care .

we paid the account monthly ,and there was enough left over from his pension to buy anything he needed .

all medication was free in high care .

in low care it wasn't .

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

azureline** — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:51:44 GMT

Depends on the home re bond in high care, some have permission to charge it "upper end hotel like fittings and furnishings"

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

kengillard — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:52:40 GMT

he's at home at the moment , but is getting worse...yes he's been diagnosed by Psychiatrists etc.

Re: does anyone know about dementia?

*elizabeths-mum* — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:55:54 GMT

I hope that what azure says is correct, and I don't know any of this through personal experience, but make sure you get proper financial advice, kengillard because I do know of spouses of clients of ours who have lost their homes. Possibly they didn't get good advice and accepted everything they were told (by services) while in a vulnerable stae.