I'm new to this forum, found it very helpful over last few weeks!
Dad is in around stage 6, was living at home with Mum caring for him 24/7. They are both 80. He became ill (UTI, delerium) & was admitted to hospital 2 weeks ago. He lost all mobility, & has been hoist only & 2 staff in hospital. Some of his cognition is coming back - he knows where he is, & who we are & can express some thoughts - but is very variable. He keeps indicating he wants to go home, but can't possibly do that in his current condition. His mobility is still poor, but he's showing some signs of voluntary movement. He has a NHS funded rehabilitation place for 4 weeks in the nursing home that would be our long term choice - realistically, we are not expecting him to improve enough to go back home. This was made as a best interests decision as he was judged not to have capacity (& his preferred option of home is impossible just now).
Now the difficulty is how we tell him this next stage. He won't be able to process the idea that it's short term, and there is no point preparing him in advance, as this will just add to his extreme anxiety. The plan is to tell him on the day - but we are worried he'll get very upset and resist. He'll be transported by hospital minibus in a wheelchair, we hope with a family member, just a couple of miles. Does anyone have any tips?
Dad is in around stage 6, was living at home with Mum caring for him 24/7. They are both 80. He became ill (UTI, delerium) & was admitted to hospital 2 weeks ago. He lost all mobility, & has been hoist only & 2 staff in hospital. Some of his cognition is coming back - he knows where he is, & who we are & can express some thoughts - but is very variable. He keeps indicating he wants to go home, but can't possibly do that in his current condition. His mobility is still poor, but he's showing some signs of voluntary movement. He has a NHS funded rehabilitation place for 4 weeks in the nursing home that would be our long term choice - realistically, we are not expecting him to improve enough to go back home. This was made as a best interests decision as he was judged not to have capacity (& his preferred option of home is impossible just now).
Now the difficulty is how we tell him this next stage. He won't be able to process the idea that it's short term, and there is no point preparing him in advance, as this will just add to his extreme anxiety. The plan is to tell him on the day - but we are worried he'll get very upset and resist. He'll be transported by hospital minibus in a wheelchair, we hope with a family member, just a couple of miles. Does anyone have any tips?