Hi again. My brother 73, with advanced FTD is now struggling at home alone even with the three daily care visits - it used to be just two because he slept so long but I was advised to add a morning visit in as he had a fall but was ok, but also because his deterioration seems to be accelerating these last few weeks with him sometimes asking the carers which way to the kitchen etc, asking what the noises are (kettle, central heating going on and off) and generally responding to any conversation with the same set of phrases and shouting and making odd noises. Today, Social Services have visited him to finalise a Mental Capacity Assessment but said he may need two separate visits.
I haven't had feedback from them yet. However, in the last couple of weeks, he has had a few more issues. The new morning visit, 30 mins was started about 4 weeks ago and was to check on him and make sure he hadn't had a fall, and to take him up a hot drink and something to eat in his bedroom as he doesn't get up til lunchtime. However since these morning visits, which he dislikes, he has not touched any of the drinks or snacks left for him so the lunchtime carers tell me. However, during the last week he has been throwing the food and drinks (including the mugs) down the toilet when he gets up to use the loo, which consequently got blocked up with cereal biscuits in their wrappers, toast and odd things from the bathroom, flannels, bars of soap.
Today, ahead of the Assessment visit, the morning carer found him on the floor of the bathroom unable to get up. She called the paramedics who came and checked him over and got him up. He was ok and totally unaware that he was on the floor! I checked the monitoring system I have in his house and it appears he may have been on the bathroom floor since midnight. Thankfully the heating is on constantly so he probably fell asleep whilst he was on the floor but thankfully would have been warm if that's any consolation. I've relayed this to Social Services ahead of their meeting today. I really think it's time for a care home. Social Services told me they help me sort a care home out if, after the assessment, if they think he's ready for 24.7 I do not want a live in carer for him. I don't think he would cope with that and his house really does need work doing because he's neglected it since he got dementia. Because I don't have PoA over his health and welfare I'm relying on todays assessment to give me their support for him to go into care. They have said they will help and back me if they agree. My concern is that they won't agree. I'm convinced that he's not safe at home now and I think he must be lonely. He's had 2 falls in less than 5 weeks and he has a steep set of stairs to negotiate. Social Services offered to put a second bannister in but the technician who came to do it was concerned that the wall wouldn't take it as it's an old house. Social Services have put in other aids for him but he doesn't use them other than the toilet frame which I don't think he realises is there. The only toilet is upstairs and he doesn't recognise the commode downstairs nor can answer the phone or use it at all. Sorry but this is more of a rant than anything. I really don't know what to do if Social Services come to the conclusion that he's better off at home. I intend to try him with a few days in a home and see how he copes if that happens. I think he is getting to the stage that soon he won't care or know where he is anyway. Sorry to have vented this but it does help!
I haven't had feedback from them yet. However, in the last couple of weeks, he has had a few more issues. The new morning visit, 30 mins was started about 4 weeks ago and was to check on him and make sure he hadn't had a fall, and to take him up a hot drink and something to eat in his bedroom as he doesn't get up til lunchtime. However since these morning visits, which he dislikes, he has not touched any of the drinks or snacks left for him so the lunchtime carers tell me. However, during the last week he has been throwing the food and drinks (including the mugs) down the toilet when he gets up to use the loo, which consequently got blocked up with cereal biscuits in their wrappers, toast and odd things from the bathroom, flannels, bars of soap.
Today, ahead of the Assessment visit, the morning carer found him on the floor of the bathroom unable to get up. She called the paramedics who came and checked him over and got him up. He was ok and totally unaware that he was on the floor! I checked the monitoring system I have in his house and it appears he may have been on the bathroom floor since midnight. Thankfully the heating is on constantly so he probably fell asleep whilst he was on the floor but thankfully would have been warm if that's any consolation. I've relayed this to Social Services ahead of their meeting today. I really think it's time for a care home. Social Services told me they help me sort a care home out if, after the assessment, if they think he's ready for 24.7 I do not want a live in carer for him. I don't think he would cope with that and his house really does need work doing because he's neglected it since he got dementia. Because I don't have PoA over his health and welfare I'm relying on todays assessment to give me their support for him to go into care. They have said they will help and back me if they agree. My concern is that they won't agree. I'm convinced that he's not safe at home now and I think he must be lonely. He's had 2 falls in less than 5 weeks and he has a steep set of stairs to negotiate. Social Services offered to put a second bannister in but the technician who came to do it was concerned that the wall wouldn't take it as it's an old house. Social Services have put in other aids for him but he doesn't use them other than the toilet frame which I don't think he realises is there. The only toilet is upstairs and he doesn't recognise the commode downstairs nor can answer the phone or use it at all. Sorry but this is more of a rant than anything. I really don't know what to do if Social Services come to the conclusion that he's better off at home. I intend to try him with a few days in a home and see how he copes if that happens. I think he is getting to the stage that soon he won't care or know where he is anyway. Sorry to have vented this but it does help!