Hi
This is my first post, and I wish that I had found this forum years ago.
Mum was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013 at the age of 75. At that time I was in England and my parents in Scotland. Dad, three years older, relied on Mum for cooking, cleaning and keeping him organised. He couldn’t cope and a year later Mum went into respite for a week and the day Mum was due to come home Dad phoned me to say he couldn’t have her back home. Cue social services being involved and Mum was found a spot in a small care home with good ratings within their home town. Dad has since been diagnosed with cancer although he’s responded to treatment well so far.
My husband and I made the decision to move up North two years ago to support Dad better as most leave was being used for emergency trips.
Mum’s deterioration was slow at first but two years ago she simply forgot how to walk and has been bedridden since. I have immense respect for her carers in that her skin has remained intact over that period of time.
A few weeks ago I was contacted as Mum had been sick, and that the Doctor had been called; they couldn’t get hold of Dad. A few minutes later we were called again to get there ASAP as Mum wasn’t expected to pull through and just in case drugs were being collected from
the pharmacy. We arrived to find that Mum had picked up and was looking much better. However, Mum didn’t bounce back; she started sleeping for the majority of the time and after a few days she started being sick after meals again. Two days ago she stopped swallowing and has been without food or drink since. She’s had morphine injections for pain as she was showing signs of distress and restlessness at times.
My husband has kindly shared his cold/flu bug with me that he’s had for the last week and the last time I visited Mum was Tuesday night. I’m terrified to give the bug to any of the other residents or my father; despite the care home saying it’s okay I feel too guilty to visit and also guilty that I haven’t been there to see Mum today (although I feel lousy). Dad took his mobile so I could at least see Mum and talk to her today but I feel I should be there. I’m an only child, and Mum was really my best friend growing up; we used to pretend we were sisters. Mum is extremely frail, just skin and bone, so no idea how long she can continue with no sustenance.
Feeling emotional, guilty and helpless tonight, which is not usual for me. Apologies for the long post.
This is my first post, and I wish that I had found this forum years ago.
Mum was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013 at the age of 75. At that time I was in England and my parents in Scotland. Dad, three years older, relied on Mum for cooking, cleaning and keeping him organised. He couldn’t cope and a year later Mum went into respite for a week and the day Mum was due to come home Dad phoned me to say he couldn’t have her back home. Cue social services being involved and Mum was found a spot in a small care home with good ratings within their home town. Dad has since been diagnosed with cancer although he’s responded to treatment well so far.
My husband and I made the decision to move up North two years ago to support Dad better as most leave was being used for emergency trips.
Mum’s deterioration was slow at first but two years ago she simply forgot how to walk and has been bedridden since. I have immense respect for her carers in that her skin has remained intact over that period of time.
A few weeks ago I was contacted as Mum had been sick, and that the Doctor had been called; they couldn’t get hold of Dad. A few minutes later we were called again to get there ASAP as Mum wasn’t expected to pull through and just in case drugs were being collected from
the pharmacy. We arrived to find that Mum had picked up and was looking much better. However, Mum didn’t bounce back; she started sleeping for the majority of the time and after a few days she started being sick after meals again. Two days ago she stopped swallowing and has been without food or drink since. She’s had morphine injections for pain as she was showing signs of distress and restlessness at times.
My husband has kindly shared his cold/flu bug with me that he’s had for the last week and the last time I visited Mum was Tuesday night. I’m terrified to give the bug to any of the other residents or my father; despite the care home saying it’s okay I feel too guilty to visit and also guilty that I haven’t been there to see Mum today (although I feel lousy). Dad took his mobile so I could at least see Mum and talk to her today but I feel I should be there. I’m an only child, and Mum was really my best friend growing up; we used to pretend we were sisters. Mum is extremely frail, just skin and bone, so no idea how long she can continue with no sustenance.
Feeling emotional, guilty and helpless tonight, which is not usual for me. Apologies for the long post.
