Good morning. It’s been pointed out to me that I need a Plan B. I am not able to live independently, my husband is my sole carer and we have coped so far without outside interference. I do pay for help around our home. We’re both retired, but my husband is a lot older than me, hence the need for a Plan B. We both have occupational pensions, my husband also has his old age pension. We also have a mortgage and have had to spend thousands of pounds adapting our bungalow for me. We have no savings left. We also have a car loan, we need a reliable car big enough to take the wheelchair. I did have DLA top rate for mobility, middle rate for help with personal care indefinitely. Two years ago I was granted PIP enhanced rate for both for three years, but have recently had the forms to be re-assessed. I have PPMS so surely they aren’t going to take it off me, but you never know.
We have no family to speak of. Nearest relatives being cousins who we have no contact with. Our solicitor has Power of Attorney should the need arise.
Recently my husband was taken ill, and was unable to drive for seven weeks. He still managed to care for me. Friends were very helpful with shopping, prescriptions, appointments etc but I didn’t go out at all for four weeks. It became apparent that if he’d been admitted to hospital I had no Plan B. I feel there is a limit to what you can ask or expect of friends.
Having established that we’re not poor I will have to pay for whatever help I might need and need to work out what I can afford, but I don’t know where to begin, care agencies charge a lot but then only pay the minimum wage and charge travelling time. The alternative is advertising, interviewing etc which will take time. Neither can be put in place until the need arises, and if that need should arise suddenly how would I get help quickly?