Hi Sue,
Thanks for replying.
Currently we don't have any care sorted. My Dad and I are sharing the responsibility at the moment. We don't think my Mum has been suffering for too long, there has been a noticeable decline for about a year. She is able to dress/wash herself ok but she is unable to cook on her own and struggles going out alone as she struggles paying for items and counting money etc. She finds communication very hard, will reply yes or no most of the time but does not really start conversations. Her speech is often brief, muddled and hard to understand.
We have had a visit from a community nurse who is our main contact but I don't think she will be visiting regularly. I have phoned local alzheimer's group and they offer activities and support. Somebody is coming to assess her ability to complete two simple tasks (an AMPS test). I'm going on a ten week caring course, have meeting with citizens advice soon and found some local dementia cafes and singing sessions i hope to attend with mum soon.
My mother used to put most of her efforts in her job as a teaching assistant. She was very good with children and there are 3 grandchildren in the family that she sees very often. I have found she likes watching music channels, Mr. Bean (!) and we played a simple running game on the wii fit the other day. we have got some old photos out and she often shows these to people that come to the house. We are going to put them in an album soon. I have bought playing cards and painting materials and hope to introduce these too her this week to see if she likes playing with them. We have baked on two occassions also and she enjoyed that. I find it really hard around 4/5pm when she often paces up and down and roams in the kitchen. I give her simple tasks to do like cutting veg and laying the table but she just seems so unsettled. She often just walks upstairs and comes straight back down again. I never know what to do in that situation, how to calm her down/get her attention. I don't have a car at the moment so I can't just take her out. We have a dog and walk that 2/3 times a day. I feel I should be doing more with her and i'm still coming to terms with her diagnoses and often fee quite apathetic about trying new things with her as she herself has become apathetic and withdrawn. But it is a boost when she doessomthign I try. Seeing her running on the wii fit was fun and she was happy when she crossed the finishing line.
Sorry for long post but I do feel like I have loads of things to mention at the moment. Thanks so much for your reply.