My mum is 88 and lives on her own in North Yorkshire. I'm her only child, living 200 miles away. Mum has been living with depression for the past 18 years and, in general, has coped pretty well. About 5 years ago she began having quite exotic and detailed hallucinations which the consultant psychiatrist said was Charles Bonet syndrome (an optical problem rather than psychological). About 3 years ago she began having mild auditory hallucinations. However, over the last 6 months or so these hallucinations have become more disturbing and mum has become increasingly paranoid about the people next door. Matters reached a head 5 weeks ago when she was convinced she'd murdered someone and put their body in the airing cupboard and that this was being announced on the radio. She called in the police. I went over to stay with her for the week and calmed her down and got the GP to look at her and re-engaged the psychiatric support. It was then that I was told that she'd been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia two years ago!
Having thought I'd got the authorities moving, Mum dipped again and I contacted Social Services via their emergency line. A couple of weeks ago Mum was in a bad state again so I went to stay with her, sorted her out etc.
The problem I have is that the GP and consultant psychiatrist, recognising that Mum's condition worsens when the sun goes down and at the weekends recommend residential care. Mum does not object to this. The Social Services, at the moment, are unable to offer night time support and have offered two, daytime, 15 minute care visits on Sat and Sun which seem totally inadequate.
So, the question is, who actually agrees to Mum going to the safety of a residential care home? The medics want it, the social services seem unwilling to spend the money. I can see their point of view - Mum maintains pretty high standards of cleanliness and, with the help of a good neighbour, is well fed and medicated. So the social worker sees her at daytime, clean, fed and not "freaking out". The neighbour can't cope with her bouts. Mum has taken to walking down the road to her at night which is unsafe. Calming the hallucinations over the phone is a challenge.
Grateful for your comments!
Having thought I'd got the authorities moving, Mum dipped again and I contacted Social Services via their emergency line. A couple of weeks ago Mum was in a bad state again so I went to stay with her, sorted her out etc.
The problem I have is that the GP and consultant psychiatrist, recognising that Mum's condition worsens when the sun goes down and at the weekends recommend residential care. Mum does not object to this. The Social Services, at the moment, are unable to offer night time support and have offered two, daytime, 15 minute care visits on Sat and Sun which seem totally inadequate.
So, the question is, who actually agrees to Mum going to the safety of a residential care home? The medics want it, the social services seem unwilling to spend the money. I can see their point of view - Mum maintains pretty high standards of cleanliness and, with the help of a good neighbour, is well fed and medicated. So the social worker sees her at daytime, clean, fed and not "freaking out". The neighbour can't cope with her bouts. Mum has taken to walking down the road to her at night which is unsafe. Calming the hallucinations over the phone is a challenge.
Grateful for your comments!
