Hi all
Mum was diagnosed with Alzheimers two weeks ago. She is in a secure psychiatric unit cos she was found wandering at night. The nurses tell me there is no improvement, she still gets up in the middle of the night expecting breafast (or dinner or tea) at 3 a.m. I hope to see the consultant psychiatrist tomorrow but it is pot luck whether I will or not. Is this common? i.e. not being informed what is going on? I have no idea how long mum will be in this unit - 2 more weeks, 2 more months? I am dreading them saying she can go home cos as far a I can see there has been no change in her perception of time.
Is she ever likely to be allowed home again? And if so, how do we stop her going out at night? Should I start looking for permanent care homes? Advice please?
Should I register the Power of Attorney that I have? The bank didn't need it to add my name to all of her accounts, and I tried explaining it to mum but it went over her head cos on Sunday she said "You'd better go to the bank and draw out £120, I need it". "What for mum?". Well in case I need to pay any bills. No mum, I don't want to pay bills in cash, it isn't convenient for me, I will sort out direct debits. What are they? We've been through this before, years ago. I'll get the bank to take out a fixed amount each month to pay for your bills so you don't need to bother. Pause. But I need the cash to pay them, get me £120 next week and bring it here, I want it. I want to know what you are doing with my bills. My electric bill is due, I need to give you the money to pay it. My gas bill will be due soon as well, you wll need some money to pay that. No mum, I don't have the time to keep running to the post office to pay these bills, I am fixing them up as direct debits. No, she doesn't like it at all. Any advice folks?
Margaret
Mum was diagnosed with Alzheimers two weeks ago. She is in a secure psychiatric unit cos she was found wandering at night. The nurses tell me there is no improvement, she still gets up in the middle of the night expecting breafast (or dinner or tea) at 3 a.m. I hope to see the consultant psychiatrist tomorrow but it is pot luck whether I will or not. Is this common? i.e. not being informed what is going on? I have no idea how long mum will be in this unit - 2 more weeks, 2 more months? I am dreading them saying she can go home cos as far a I can see there has been no change in her perception of time.
Is she ever likely to be allowed home again? And if so, how do we stop her going out at night? Should I start looking for permanent care homes? Advice please?
Should I register the Power of Attorney that I have? The bank didn't need it to add my name to all of her accounts, and I tried explaining it to mum but it went over her head cos on Sunday she said "You'd better go to the bank and draw out £120, I need it". "What for mum?". Well in case I need to pay any bills. No mum, I don't want to pay bills in cash, it isn't convenient for me, I will sort out direct debits. What are they? We've been through this before, years ago. I'll get the bank to take out a fixed amount each month to pay for your bills so you don't need to bother. Pause. But I need the cash to pay them, get me £120 next week and bring it here, I want it. I want to know what you are doing with my bills. My electric bill is due, I need to give you the money to pay it. My gas bill will be due soon as well, you wll need some money to pay that. No mum, I don't have the time to keep running to the post office to pay these bills, I am fixing them up as direct debits. No, she doesn't like it at all. Any advice folks?
Margaret