DayPerson

Mum has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and we need to move from France back to the UK so she can be treated. She was born in the UK so is she entitled to treatment from the day we return? Do we need valid EHIC cards(issued by France or the UK?) Is there anything we can do to speed up the return in relation to getting paperwork done for care mum will need?

SanDiegogirl

Being born in the UK does not convey British citizenship automatically.

Is your mother a British citizen? Does she have a British passport?

If she is British, then she would be eligible for the NHS upon being assessed as a permanent resident of the UK. What treatment/assistance she would received would, again, be assessed by the medical team.

You would need to register with a General Practitioner and then be referred to specialists.

Editha

My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in January. Contact the Alzheimer's Society for more advice.

Editha

You'll also find Age UK helpful.

Do you envisage your mum going into residential care, remaining with you, or living on her own with support?

DayPerson

Mum is British with a British passport. I don't know what level of support we will need, but we don't intend to put mum into a care home. Thanks for the links Editha, I'll take a look.

Editha

This is the process we've gone through with mum

NHS: GP refers patient to a 'Memory Clinic' for assessment by a neurologist and psychologist. My guess is that even if the original diagnosis was in France, the GP will want to get it confirmed here. The neurologist will prescribe Aricept (donezipil) if appropriate.

NHS: Ask the GP for referral to Occupational Therapy for assessment. OT can give valuable advice on equipment and adapting your home, and often will lend equipment.

NHS: If your mother has a problem with incontinence, ask for a referral to the incontinence nurse. Apart from advice, the incontinence nurse can authorise the NHS pad service.

Local authority: Ask for a Social Care Assessment. This is your statutory right. If there is a problem affording care, then the social worker will do a means test to determine what level of financial help you can be given. Even if you are self-funding the social worker will offer advice and information about local agencies that can help.

My mother is self-funding, but I have requested two social care assessments so far, and got valuable advice on both occasions.

Local authority: your mother is entitled to an exemption from council tax. LAs keep quiet about this. Get advice from your local Alzheimers Society on how to claim.

My advice is to avoid using care agencies if you can. Their very poorly paid workers usually offer a very poor service. Find local, preferably qualified, self-employed carers.