Hi there,
I'm looking for some advice regarding my aunt who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia just over a year ago. My aunt lives alone in St. Andrews and my mother and myself live in Edinburgh. She can manage by herself at the moment. She can shop for herself, dress, wash etc. The main symptom of her dementia is communication loss. She cannot understand complex concepts, my mother is managing her finances (my mother, myself and a friend of my aunt have been granted power of attorney) and to be honest, most of the time we can't understand what she is trying to say.
My brother lives in London with his wife and daughter and wants her to travel by train to visit which would give her so much joy. However, I'm worried about her travelling alone. She would be taken to the station by her friend and picked up at the other end. My concern is all the what ifs. If the train is delayed or she has to change trains or even the fact that she is more vulnerable and may be targeted by people wanting to take advantage or her handbag getting stolen. I have no doubt that she would have great difficulty coping with any of these scenarios.
I don't want to stop her from doing something that gives her pleasure but am concerned for her safety.
Neither my mum nor myself can travel with her and it would be doubtful that my brother's family could also do this. To be honest- I'm annoyed that he didn't consult anyone before going ahead with this planned trip!
Does anyone have any advice?
I'm looking for some advice regarding my aunt who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia just over a year ago. My aunt lives alone in St. Andrews and my mother and myself live in Edinburgh. She can manage by herself at the moment. She can shop for herself, dress, wash etc. The main symptom of her dementia is communication loss. She cannot understand complex concepts, my mother is managing her finances (my mother, myself and a friend of my aunt have been granted power of attorney) and to be honest, most of the time we can't understand what she is trying to say.
My brother lives in London with his wife and daughter and wants her to travel by train to visit which would give her so much joy. However, I'm worried about her travelling alone. She would be taken to the station by her friend and picked up at the other end. My concern is all the what ifs. If the train is delayed or she has to change trains or even the fact that she is more vulnerable and may be targeted by people wanting to take advantage or her handbag getting stolen. I have no doubt that she would have great difficulty coping with any of these scenarios.
I don't want to stop her from doing something that gives her pleasure but am concerned for her safety.
Neither my mum nor myself can travel with her and it would be doubtful that my brother's family could also do this. To be honest- I'm annoyed that he didn't consult anyone before going ahead with this planned trip!
Does anyone have any advice?