Financial, Legal and Work Issues

Carer Support

Caring for a loved one with a life limiting illness can create a range of financial, legal and work issues that you may not have had to manage before.

Your social worker or MND Advisor can help refer you to community services.

Advocare supports and protects the rights of older people in Western Australia. Their free services support older people to make informed choices and make sure they understand their rights. They can help you resolve any issues you have with aged and home care service provision.

Financial Counsellors WA are the peak body for financial counselling services. Their website has contact details for free, independent, confidential financial services. They provide information, support and advocacy for people in financial difficulty.

The Citizens Advice Bureau offers low-cost legal advice appointments. They can also help with preparing legal documents.

The Carer Help website has resources for carers to learn what to expect and how to communicate, plan ahead and make shared decisions. Included is a library of resources, organised in different categories so it's easy to find information. They have also developed five carer pathways, based on what carers commonly experience over time when caring for someone approaching the end of their life.

Advance Care Planning involves having conversations with your loved ones and making your wishes known . . . sooner rather than later. Advance Care Planning tools include wills, advance health directives, enduring power of guardianship, enduring power of attorney and advance care plans. Palliative Care WA provide a free phone line 7 days a week with information and support on Advance Care Planning. Free community workshops on Advance Care Planning are run regularly.

The UK Motor Neurone Disease Association have produced a guide for carers supporting someone with MND. The guide has information on carers’ rights; assessments and services; and how to manage difficult emotions that you may feel when facing the demands of the caring role. Whilst some of the information is specific to the UK (e.g., support numbers, assessment processes, etc) it contains some very useful general information about MND and looking after yourself as a carer.

Experiences

David has created a spreadsheet to help him keep on top of financial and house running matters. It records all the information he needs in one place - e.g., passwords, account numbers, etc.

Josie wants to keep working whilst caring for her husband Lewis, but she is finding it difficult to juggle both. She sat down with her MND Advisor to work out a plan on how to manage everything. Her plan includes talking to her work manager about reducing her work hours. She's also organised free counselling through her employee assistance program.

George realises their wills are out of date and they have no other legal documentation in place. Him and his wife have not had any discussions about advance care planning/end of life. George has booked into a free community workshop on Advance Care Planning to find out more and to start putting in place the relevant paperwork.