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Help for a carer who is struggling financially and emotional

southsimon
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My sister-in-law is struggling financially and emotionally with the implications of her partner's cancer. He is in hospital at the moment and is not expected to have long left.

She is struggling to cope - lack of sleep,panic attacks,anxiety,chronic forgetfulness and many,many worries about money(including funeral costs).

We're trying to help her but she really needs more expert and experienced support.

How do we get help for her anxiety - she's hostile to the idea of support groups . Is there any organisation or charity that could help her?

Any help or advice would be very welcome.

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    Hi there ..

    It must be so overwhelming... trying to juggle everything .. ask her to call McMillan... they have financial advice.. and can even help her fill out forms ... they can give advice what she can apply for ..

    They fast track those with a terminal diagnosis... and she can ask to chat to the nurses ... tell her to tell them all she's worried about ... if you go on their home page and the number is on there .. also Marie Currie home page and they help terminally ill patients and their families...

    Good luck .. think they are there monday to Friday... Chrissie x

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    Hi southsimon is your sister in law her partners registered carer if she is, "carers first" should be able to help, they are there to help carers, hope you can get something sorted soon. Good luck.

    Billy

    P.s I'm afraid every thing is slow going when you need help. 

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    Hi,

    You have been given good advice about contacting Macmillan etc. Does your sister-in-law know if her partner has any life insurance (personal or as part of his employment)? If he does and it has a Critical Illness component he should be able to claim on it for a lump sum before he passes away as he has been given a terminal diagnosis. Macmillan will be able to advise on the benefits she & her partner would be eligible for and also regarding any funeral grant she may be able to claim. 

    As regards her mental health, Macmillan can help and I suggest she visits her GP and explains how the stress is affecting her. 

    Good luck - I hope she seeks the help she needs,

    Angie

  • Offline in reply to Chriss

    Hi Chrissie,

    Thank you for taking the time to respond -we appreciate it greatly. We'll persue your suggestions and hope for the best.

  • Offline in reply to Billygoat

    Hello,

    Thank you for taking the time to respond and we appreciate your suggestion. We'll investigate her situation and hope for the best.

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hello,

    Thank you for taking the time to respond and we'll persue your suggestions.

    We're very grateful for all the suggestions which have been made -it gives us practical possibilities when the internet is full of vague possibilities.

    We'll do our best to help her cope. Thanks for your help.

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