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?