Man 87 needs live-in carer for wife, hopes to retain current 9 hr/wk HSE grant

I am 87 and caring for my 82 year old wife at home with assistance from a home help lady three mornings (i.e. 9 hours per week) provided by a HSE approved private contractor. I receive €180 grant per week from HSE that almost covers the cost of this service. However, I now require more assistance due to my recent heart failure and also as my wife is weakening as time goes on and I feel needs Live-In help now to assist with dressing her each morning plus other tasks.

My query is:
How do I achieve fulltime live-in care foe my wife while retaining the HSE grant and thereby avoid the expensive Nursing Home option for both of us ?

Regards
Handel

Hi Handel and welcome to AAM. Not knowing what area of the country you live in makes it difficult to give more than vague advice as services vary from county to county, but I'll try anyway.

I would contact the public health nurse at your local GPs office first - in my area that is the way you go about getting home help originally. She should be able to advise whether you are entitled to more home help than you are currently receiving and may be able to arrange it for you. There is more info [broken link removed] and [broken link removed] also ask about meals-on-wheels if you aren't already using/getting this.

As an aside, I'm shocked that the services you are currently receiving are so expensive ~ over €20 an hour from your post. (for what amounts to being a bit of company and very light household duties assuming that grandfathers home help is the norm!)

Thanks ACA

Thanks ACA

I live in South County Dublin. I have been told by the Public Health Nurse that I will not get any more than the €180/wk grant towards the HSE Approved home-help. I want to avoid for as long as possible using my house equity to finance Nursing Home care for my wife (or for myself). I thought about employing a fulltime live-in home help but I would lose the grant and therefore I cannot afford this option. The current situation of 9 hours of subsidised home-help (3 hours x 3 mornings per week) at a cost of €23/hr) is insufficient because I am finding it too strenuous and due to my heart condition I fear that I might go from being a carer to being in need of care. I have concluded that I could manage with the assistance of about 25 hours of Home-Help. However I could not afford the additional unsubsidised hours through the HSE Approved Home Help contractor. Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks
Handel

Hi Handel, It appears that your public health nurse is unable to help you in this instance; have you tried calling the HSE National Infomation Line?

HSE National Information Line
Monday to Saturday, 8am-8pm
Call Save: 1850 24 1850
Email: info@hse.ie

They should be able to highlight any service that you are qualify for but not currently getting and tell you how to go about it.

Whilst it's not your wish to dip into the equity in your home or consider residential care, please don't completely dismiss it. It is also worthwhile exploring care homes that accept married couples - it would give you more options should your own health decline rapidly... and maybe less worry/stress would aid both you and your wife for the future.

Hi Handel, Is there anyway you could ask family to help out a bit? if this is not possible, would you have a spare room you could offer free for the help? you can advertise that on Daft, but make sure someone is there when interviewing. Wish you best of luck

Hi Handel, as ACA says don't dismiss residential care altogether if the only reason is financial. The nursing home support office is a great source of up to date and practical info. 045 880400 is number in south Dublin.

If staying at home with increased support is the ideal option then you can contact the "manager of services for the older person" in your area. While the public health nurse can recommend an increase in hours in a care package it is this person and their office that is responsible for granting the funding. If nothing else they will be able to tell you what the max level of support is available in your area and if there is a difference in the max amount for homehelp Vs home care package.
I'm not 100% sure but I think the funding is different for each. A HCP has an increased level of funding.
Many people supplement the funding from HSE with their own private carer. What you pay yourself for her care is tax deductable at 42%. You shouldn't lose your HSE funding.
Ask your local health centre for the name and number of the manager relevant to where you live. Good luck