I’m not from the UK but thought I’d add my experience.
My parents live next door to me and Mum was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2013. Symptoms 2 yrs prior.
Things came to a head in 2016.
Dad wasnt coping, I wasn’t coping with both of them.
Mum had a carer coming in 3 x a week for showering and dressing, and she attended a day care 3 days a week.
Mum was constantly agitated and anxious, didnt recognise her home, couldnt always find the bathroom, didnt recognise Dad half the time, and she was starting to wander.
It was truly awful, yet my sister said “ Theres no way our Mum was going into care” and we would just have ti increase the care package.
I also worked 3 days. Mums issue was having someone there 24/7 to supervise her, as Dad was not enough. He had cognitive impairment himself.
Following, me with shingles and my husband needing major surgery my sister agreed to 2 weeks respite for Mum.
We saw a couple of care homes ( that was an experience!) decided on one and booked Mum in.
Long story short that was July 16 and there Mum stayed.
The care home has been fantastic for Mum. The stress and anxiety of living at home was taken away.
People to talk to, activities if she wanted, weekly mini van outings,
regular meals & drinks, nursing care on hand.
As Mums Alzheimers has progressed it hasnt always been a picnic, but having 24/7 care has been a blessing for Mum and for us.
Oh and you know what finally made my sister and her husband realise just how bad Mum had become ( as short visits here & there dont always show it)
they took Mum & Dad for 3 days to their holiday house to give me a break.
Mum constantly confused their house with their house back home. Was up half the night going in and out the bedrooms and waking them. Was hallucinating & delusional. When they returned after a 2 hr journey ( another saga) Mum had no idea she was at her own house and then asked my sister and BIL when they would be leaving to go to their holiday house.
Having no recollection of the car journey let alone just being there 3 days, they were staggered.
My parents live next door to me and Mum was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2013. Symptoms 2 yrs prior.
Things came to a head in 2016.
Dad wasnt coping, I wasn’t coping with both of them.
Mum had a carer coming in 3 x a week for showering and dressing, and she attended a day care 3 days a week.
Mum was constantly agitated and anxious, didnt recognise her home, couldnt always find the bathroom, didnt recognise Dad half the time, and she was starting to wander.
It was truly awful, yet my sister said “ Theres no way our Mum was going into care” and we would just have ti increase the care package.
I also worked 3 days. Mums issue was having someone there 24/7 to supervise her, as Dad was not enough. He had cognitive impairment himself.
Following, me with shingles and my husband needing major surgery my sister agreed to 2 weeks respite for Mum.
We saw a couple of care homes ( that was an experience!) decided on one and booked Mum in.
Long story short that was July 16 and there Mum stayed.
The care home has been fantastic for Mum. The stress and anxiety of living at home was taken away.
People to talk to, activities if she wanted, weekly mini van outings,
regular meals & drinks, nursing care on hand.
As Mums Alzheimers has progressed it hasnt always been a picnic, but having 24/7 care has been a blessing for Mum and for us.
Oh and you know what finally made my sister and her husband realise just how bad Mum had become ( as short visits here & there dont always show it)
they took Mum & Dad for 3 days to their holiday house to give me a break.
Mum constantly confused their house with their house back home. Was up half the night going in and out the bedrooms and waking them. Was hallucinating & delusional. When they returned after a 2 hr journey ( another saga) Mum had no idea she was at her own house and then asked my sister and BIL when they would be leaving to go to their holiday house.
Having no recollection of the car journey let alone just being there 3 days, they were staggered.
Last edited: