Latest Update

Mum is doing very well.  She is in bed most of the time and very well looked after.  They manage to give her a shower and wash her hair although they tell me she does argue with them about it.  She used to do the same with me!!!!!!

Only had one problem although it was a major one.  When I went to see her the other day she was really thirsty and she had no drink within reach.  She drank two full beakers and most of a third.  I really told them off about that and it hasn't happened again.  I bring in Gatorade for her.  Found out about it because they gave it to Elvis when he appeared in Vegas.  It's very good for dehydration and mum has suffered from dehydration quite a lot.

Mum hasn't eaten since September and it's very difficult to get her to eat anything.  I managed to get five half teaspoons of supper down her the other day but she just doesn't want to eat.  She's being kept going on fortijuice mainly and some of the nurishment milk I get for her.  She's still going though and her dementia isn't getting any worse - she still knows who I am.  If she didn't that would be terrible.  At least I've managed to get her care sorted out.  We were very lucky.  Most people don't get the care she's getting and she is nearby so I can go and spend time with her most days.

Short Update

Mum was released from hospital and I sent her to the brilliant nursing home nearby with the last two weeks of my respite vouchers.  When I went to collect her I couldn't take her home - she was too weak and ill.  I couldn't have got her out of the car let alone into the house, to the stairs, onto the stairlift, up the stairs and into her bedroom.  The home were very good - they called Social Services to ask for emergency funding.  The social worker was nice but really clueless.  She wanted me to sign a form to say I would pay over £100 per week towards my mother's care - where she thought I was going to find that kind of money from I've no idea.  Anyhow the district nurses called to see my mum at the home and common sense prevailed.  They arranged for immediate emergency funding so she could stay there.

Then mum's gp arrived and insisted on sending her to hospital which was a complete waste of time.  She had to stay there for a week and they couldn't find anything wrong with her.  At last she was brought back to the nursing home.  She has a really comfortable room and more importantly a comfortable bed and they look after her really well - much better than I can.  Mum is still very frail but at least she's being looked after properly.

Sunday am

Went to see mum at the hospital.  She's on the top floor in Ward D3 - really difficult to get to.  If you go up in the main lift it only goes to the third floor and you have to trail around finding how to get to the next floor with the D wards.  Found the way up in the end.  There is a lift to the fourth floor but hidden away and not signposted a long way down a corridor away from the main lifts.  I should have remembered it as my father was on floor D when he died three years ago.  Maybe they think that putting the elderly on the fourth floor means they're nearer to God.

She does seem a lot brighter.  In A&E she was very quiet and slept all the time so I was fearing the worst.  When I got to the ward she was talking again and had managed to pull out the drip they had her on so she's getting back to her ususal self.

Had to miss the hospital today because of exhaustion.  One of the nurses told me to take a rest while she's in there although I feel guilty missing a visit.  Will go and see her tomorrow.  If she continues to make good progress she should be able to come home soon.

Saturday am

Eventful week.  Mum was getting weaker and weaker - it was very difficult even getting her from the bed to the commode.  Called the doctor on Wednesday and he called back and said it sounded as if she might have a urinary infection.  Managed to get a sample - with a lot of difficulty as she really wasn't at all well - and took it to the surgery.  Stood at the desk and told them it can't wait as she is very unwell.  He's a good doctor thank heavens and he did a test there in the surgery and prescribed antibiotics.  He also asked one of the district nurses to call to take a blood test as a matter or urgency.

The district nurse called early afternoon.  She was really good - she said my mum needed to be in hospital.  She called the surgery and had huge problems getting through the receptionist who said the doctor woudn't speak to her as he was running a surgery.  The nurse asked if he could call her back between patients.  The receptionist said no.  Anywho common sense prevailed and he did call back.

The nurse called for an ambulance which arrived a couple of hours later.  Had a lot of trouble getting mum downstairs as she is so weak.  Managed it eventually.  Took a blanket into A&E - I've had to go there a couple of times with my father and mum and it can get cold.  Managed to make her comfortable there - she slept most of the time.  She is very dehydrated.  They did admit her and she seemed to come around a little once she was on the drip and getting some liquid into her.

Was at the hospital until late.  Maybe this time we can get a reasonable care package in place.  Her new GP is very good but she does need regular visits and nowadays that doesn't happen.

Sunday pm

Managed to get quite a bit of milk supplement down mum today.  She's still not eating.  Will need to call out the doctor again if it goes on much longer.  There's no point in sending her to hospital - they probably wouldn't admit her anyway and the care can be a bit patchy.  Might try to get her back into that really good home for a few weeks.  They managed to get her to eat before.  If I could send her for a few weeks it might work wonders.  Will try Social Services tomorrow.

Saturday pm

Big bed wetting session yesterday and today mum didn't wake up until about 6.30 pm when I was able to change her.  She isn't eating.  I'll call in the doctor on Monday.  She can't go on if she doesn't eat and she's sleeping more and more.

Thursday am

Nothing unusual over the last few days.  Mum isn't eating much.  Wet bed the last couple of mornings so everything had to be changed.  She says she's very ill and wants to go into hospital which is the same as always.  She doesn't seem any worse than usual.  It seems incredible that anyone would want to go into hospital but she doesn't really understand what she's saying.  She doesn't really know where she is and doesn't understand most of the time that she's in her own home.