Many of the families we support live a long way from Mum or Dad. The worry is constant, and every phone call that goes unanswered feels bigger than it should. A few things put in place early make it far easier to help from wherever you are.
Get the paperwork in place
A Lasting Power of Attorney lets your parent choose someone they trust to make decisions for them. There are two kinds: one for property and financial affairs, which can be used as soon as it is registered, with their permission, and one for health and welfare, which can only be used if they cannot make the decision themselves. Registering costs £92 and takes about 8 to 10 weeks.
An LPA has to be made while your parent can still make the decision to set it up, so it is worth doing early.
For day-to-day banking, a bank’s third-party mandate can let you help with an account, but the Office of the Public Guardian says it is only suitable while the account holder has mental capacity. An LPA is the long-term answer.
Help with the GP
Your parent can ask their GP surgery to give you “family and carer access”, known as proxy access. It can let you order repeat prescriptions, book appointments and see test results on their behalf. They can choose how much you see, and change their mind at any time.
The surgery may ask for a form and photo ID. Some surgeries are now letting people set this up in the NHS App.
Make a plan for emergencies
Carers UK suggests writing down what someone would need to know in an emergency, and keeping it up to date:
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Who to call
Family, neighbours and anyone who visits regularly.
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Medicines
What your parent takes, and where the medicines are kept.
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Health contacts
Their GP surgery and pharmacy.
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Support already in place
Care or help at home, and any equipment they use.
Getting in, and getting help
A key safe lets carers, family or emergency services get in if your parent cannot come to the door. Choose one approved under the police’s Secured by Design scheme, have it fixed firmly to brick or concrete out of sight of the road, and change the code from time to time.
A personal alarm means your parent can call for help at the press of a button. Somerset Lifeline is a paid service run by Somerset Council; in Dorset and Wiltshire, ask the council’s adult social care team what is available.
Both local fire services offer free home fire safety visits. Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue lets you refer someone else, and Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue visits people who are more at risk of fire.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue
Free home fire safety visits; you can refer someone else online
Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue
Free home safety visits for people more at risk of fire
How Aurora can help
We can be the people nearby. Families can read the carers’ notes and see the rota in the CareLineLive app after every visit, or hear from us by WhatsApp or phone if they prefer. Kirsty and Kayleigh are on their mobiles, and act on any concern straight away.
Monica’s daughter lives more than an hour from Bruton. She now knows someone calls in every day, and can see how each visit went.
