Good afternoon
I am the only son and have looked after Mum for 6 years as dad died in 2005. Mum was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia 2011 and with Depression 2013. Mums mobility gradually deteriorated 2014 and she had to sleep downstairs. She could usually walk with zimmer. She was usually tiring at 4.00 and falling asleep at 6.30 when carers put her to bed. Throughout 2014 she was prone to infections and while in hospital caught C Difficile. Another infection put her back in hospital and at Best Interests Meeting it was decided Mum should go into Nursing Home becausevof her frailty and her Vascular Dementia. I accepted this for Mums overall benefit but I knew Mum would never want Nursing Home. She arrived there March.
For 6 weeks Mum told both staff and me repeatedly she wanted to go home but around 1 May I noticed difference in behaviour. She refused to participate in any activity and did not talk to any resident. She cannot watch TV as it is too much of an effort. I feel she is not getting any stimulation to help her motivation. She is falling asleep at 2.00 instead of 6.30. My main objection to Nursing Home is loud music from Radio/TV which I have raised with manager.Minor things have gone wrong including losing Mums slippers and her teeth. GP is gradually reducing Mums medication.
I am now really worried about Mums mental and physical health and at recent Continuing Healthcare Meeting Nurse and Social Worker brought up situation of Mum being there and I gave them my concerns about depression and loss of motivation and worsening mobility.
I realise Mum needs 24 hour care and would appreciate any advice from anyone with similar experiences please. Whereas Mum will never recover from Vascular Dementia, is her present state due to vascular dementia or the separate matter of depression or due to bring in wrong Nursing Home? Should I simply wait till GP further reduces medication to see if energy/interest/motivation returns to some degree? Should I search for new Nursing Home with better facilities (eg physiotherapists, speech therapists,more lounges such that I may talk to Mum and Mum may talk to other residents
Without disturbance from loud music)? As the agitation has ceased, is fatigue the next stage she must endure? Thanking you
I am the only son and have looked after Mum for 6 years as dad died in 2005. Mum was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia 2011 and with Depression 2013. Mums mobility gradually deteriorated 2014 and she had to sleep downstairs. She could usually walk with zimmer. She was usually tiring at 4.00 and falling asleep at 6.30 when carers put her to bed. Throughout 2014 she was prone to infections and while in hospital caught C Difficile. Another infection put her back in hospital and at Best Interests Meeting it was decided Mum should go into Nursing Home becausevof her frailty and her Vascular Dementia. I accepted this for Mums overall benefit but I knew Mum would never want Nursing Home. She arrived there March.
For 6 weeks Mum told both staff and me repeatedly she wanted to go home but around 1 May I noticed difference in behaviour. She refused to participate in any activity and did not talk to any resident. She cannot watch TV as it is too much of an effort. I feel she is not getting any stimulation to help her motivation. She is falling asleep at 2.00 instead of 6.30. My main objection to Nursing Home is loud music from Radio/TV which I have raised with manager.Minor things have gone wrong including losing Mums slippers and her teeth. GP is gradually reducing Mums medication.
I am now really worried about Mums mental and physical health and at recent Continuing Healthcare Meeting Nurse and Social Worker brought up situation of Mum being there and I gave them my concerns about depression and loss of motivation and worsening mobility.
I realise Mum needs 24 hour care and would appreciate any advice from anyone with similar experiences please. Whereas Mum will never recover from Vascular Dementia, is her present state due to vascular dementia or the separate matter of depression or due to bring in wrong Nursing Home? Should I simply wait till GP further reduces medication to see if energy/interest/motivation returns to some degree? Should I search for new Nursing Home with better facilities (eg physiotherapists, speech therapists,more lounges such that I may talk to Mum and Mum may talk to other residents
Without disturbance from loud music)? As the agitation has ceased, is fatigue the next stage she must endure? Thanking you
Some suitable background music some of the time is acceptable, but it shouldn't be intrusive.
