HAVE YOU TAKEN CAMBRIDGE 20?
TIME TO CHALLENGE OUR EARS
WOMAN It’s really good to see you, Tom.Since I had to give up work, I feel I’m losing touch with my friends andcolleagues.
MAN We really miss you in the office. Wewere all so sorry you had to leave. But you must be relieved to have more timeto look after your mother. How is she?
WOMAN Well she is very cheerful, butshe needs a lot of help.
MAN Have you tried to get anysupport from the local council?
WOMAN No, I didn’t know I could.
MAN Yes, they offer different kinds ofpractical support. They realise that carers sometimes need time for all theother responsibilities they have, apart from the person they’re caring for, andalso that they sometimes need a break.
WOMAN Absolutely. OK, so tell memore. How do I go about getting this support?
MAN Well, you’d have to have anassessment of your mother’s needs. That means someone would come round and talkto you about the situation and what you need. So, for a start, they’d want toknow the amount of time you spend looking after your mother every day.
WOMAN OK.
MAN Then they’ll probably ask youwhat sorts of tasks you do for your mother during the day. Things like if sheneeds help with getting dressed, for example.
WOMAN Right. I help her with that.And also I help her get into the shower in the morning.
MAN Yes, that sort of thing.
WOMAN Yes, that’s becoming a bit ofa problem. She used to be very good at it, but not anymore.
Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you havesome time to look at questions five to ten. you Now listen and answer questions5 to 10.
MAN And be ready to tell them aboutanything you find particularly difficult about caring for your mother.
WOMAN So, recently I’ve noticedshe’s started to have quite bad problems with her memory. If I wasn’t there, Ithink she’d forget to eat, for example. And often she doesn’t seem quite surewhat day it is.
MAN Yes, tell them about that. And are there anyphysical difficulties you have caring for her? Lifting her, for example?
WOMAN Yes, she’s quite heavy and I’mafraid of hurting my back. I’d be in real trouble if that happened.
MAN They can give you advice aboutthat and also about how to avoid the possibility of your mum having a fall.
WOMAN Great. So once they’ve donethis assessment, if I’m eligible, what happens next?
MAN Well, they might support youfinancially. So they might help you with transport costs, like if you have toget a taxi to take your mother for an appointment, for example.
WOMAN I usually drive her myself,actually. So, could I claim the petrol?
MAN You could. And you can claim forthe insurance too.
WOMAN Oh, right.
MAN And if you need help with thehousework, they can arrange for someone to come along once or twice a week. Andone other thing. I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but it important you
look after yourself And it seems to me you under quite a bitof stress
WOMAN I am yes
MAN Well tell the council becausethey may be able to give you some advice on how to minimise it
WOMAN Really? Though, actually, Ifeel so much better having talked to you. I’ll get in touch with the councilstraight away. Now, shall we go for coffee or something?