Activities in care home

[Druid]

Hello, I have joined TP because I hope someone may be able to help me with some ideas of how to help my mum. She is 89, was diagnosed with Alzheimers 5 years ago and for the past four has lived in a specialist care home only three miles from where I live. She chose the home when she was still well enough to and for the first few years was very happy. But as her dementia has worsened ( as have the other residents) her ability to engage with them has lessened and she doesn't actually do much during the day. It is made worse by her having macular degeneration so can't see very well. The home is lovely, the staff are lovely but my mum says she feels lonely. I work full time but take her out every weekend and try to pop in one evening a week, but does anyone know of any way I can get someone to visit her regularly during the week or to take her out?

 

[starryuk]

Hello Druid,

I understand where you are coming from. I thought my mum would benefit from having her own personal 'friend' in her CH. I hired someone privately to go in once a week and spend an hour with mum. It worked really well. As well as that, a really good friend of mine popped in once a week to have a cup of tea with her. I just thought it might be good for her self esteem to have other friends besides a daughter.

I think you could perhaps arrange someone through a care agency or through Crossroads. I understand that Crossroads can provide such a service, but didn't use them. There will be someone who does know more, I am sure, who will be able to help you further.

Let us know how you get on, and best wishes.

 

[Druid]

Thank you both for you replies. I had not heard of Crossroads so I will look in to that possibility.