Mum has finally been moved to a. Care Home of Dad's choice. She seems settled and the staff tell us that she is. Mum is clean, well fed and medicated accordingly - she looks well. I do have concerns however at the level of stimulation that she is getting, as does my Father. My brother was saddened when he visited a few weeks ago, to see Mum sitting in a television room, seemingly more interested in pulling at a loose thread on her clothing!
The home publish an activities list every week. When I visited today she was sitting in the "pleasant" breakfast room, at a table alone. Two members of staff kept drifting in, but I saw no acknowledgement of her really or efforts to engage with her. I asked what Mum would be doing when breakfast was over, and neither of the staff could tell me. I (politely) made it very clear that I would not be happy if Mum was just going to be left somewhere, sitting alone, when I left.
A senior member of staff was then contacted who was very pleasant with Mum and I. She explained that a music activity was going on. I asked if I could see that, made encouraging noises...and the member of staff escorted Mum down to the room. Once there, she sat down and joined in. I joined in for two minutes or so, and then left her seemingly happily, joining in. The member of staff told me that when they asks Mum if she wants to join an activity, she often says no. From past experience however, I know that Mum's "no" does not always mean "no'!
I'm no expert!! I just hate to think that Mum is not getting the stimulation that she deserves. From what I can see, she's exhibiting many Mid stage characteristics of Alzheimers. What should we expect though from the care home?
The home publish an activities list every week. When I visited today she was sitting in the "pleasant" breakfast room, at a table alone. Two members of staff kept drifting in, but I saw no acknowledgement of her really or efforts to engage with her. I asked what Mum would be doing when breakfast was over, and neither of the staff could tell me. I (politely) made it very clear that I would not be happy if Mum was just going to be left somewhere, sitting alone, when I left.
A senior member of staff was then contacted who was very pleasant with Mum and I. She explained that a music activity was going on. I asked if I could see that, made encouraging noises...and the member of staff escorted Mum down to the room. Once there, she sat down and joined in. I joined in for two minutes or so, and then left her seemingly happily, joining in. The member of staff told me that when they asks Mum if she wants to join an activity, she often says no. From past experience however, I know that Mum's "no" does not always mean "no'!
I'm no expert!! I just hate to think that Mum is not getting the stimulation that she deserves. From what I can see, she's exhibiting many Mid stage characteristics of Alzheimers. What should we expect though from the care home?
